A Moment With Pastor Fred

6/15/18

Late last month Starbucks closed more than 8,000 of their US stores to conduct anti-bias training for 180,000 employees in an effort to deal with the fallout over the arrest of 2 black men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia.  After the incident Starbuck’s leaders apologized stating the incident should have never happened. 

The shutdown for the training cost Starbucks $12 million. 

Middle-class white Americans might be tired of hearing the term racism – but as believers we of all people should demonstrate biblical compassion and concern.  Racism is an evil that hides in all of our hearts – red, yellow, black and white. Racism isn’t a head problem, it’s a heart problem. There is a place for legislation but its limited. The real answer is spiritual.

Let me suggest some steps toward combatting bigotry. We must always begin with ourselves. We must confess bigotry when we see it in our lives. All of us were made in the image of God. Learn to appreciate the rich ethnic differences God ordained in humanity. Someday there will be no racism. Every believer will be part of a gathering from every tribe, people and language standing before the throne of the Lamb (Rev 7:9). I want to be part of getting as many there from every people group as I can. And I know you do too. Let us guard our hearts. Let us love our neighbors as ourselves.