This is George, Levy, and I. George is the President of Hands at Work, a non-profit that serves the poorest and most vulnerable children of Africa. Levy is the Regional Service Coordinator for Hands in Zambia. Besides their roles in Hands, they are dear brothers and friends. I have had the privilege of living besides them, rooming with them, walking African villages together, and having numerous conversations. You also might notice that there are three colors of skin in this picture, black, white, and yellow. For me, this wouldn't be possible apart from Jesus.
I was born in Seoul, South Korea and came over to the United States at 6 months. I grew up in Northern New Jersey where my friends were solely either Irish or Italian-Americans. I was the sole yellow face in the region (though if you go to Northern New Jersey now, you will see a very different New Jersey). Every day's walk to school was a new day to hear some ethnic epithet, some racial put-down. It wasn't fun to say the least.
I also went to a Catholic school. That wouldn't be so bad except that I wasn't Catholic. My parents were Presbyterians and they made sure I didn't take communion. So as the sea of people went up to take the Eucharist, I sat alone in the long wooden pews. Therefore, I was the only Asian Presbyterian in a land of Irish, Italian Catholics. I couldn't stick out any more than I did. It made me despise my ethnic identity. The sad part is that I actually was a part of the majority culture, I don't think I would have been any different. I too probably would have said those racist words. Why do I say that? Because in us, there is a partiality that underlines the heart of every human being.
James writes in 2:1: "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." In other words, we as Christians, are not to be partial to anyone on the basis of any external factors. Beauty, class, ethnicity, nationality, personality, accent, dress, etc., we are to show NO partiality. There are to be NO exceptions. And yet, do we not show partiality on a regular basis? We are more inclined to enjoy someone's company if their personality and interests mesh with our own. The dinners we hold, we invite only certain types of people from certain backgrounds. The conversations we regularly have at church, they are held only with the same groupings of people, people we are more inclined to enjoy. Perhaps if we dared to admit it, we might even show partiality to one of our own children over another. If Jacob can show such partiality so can any parent. Partiality is a much more common sin than we might be willing to admit.
It is this partiality that is at the root of racism. One race determines the other less worthy. One person's "foreignness" is a threat to a certain culture's "way of life." The neighbor who cooks a certain type of food, or who dresses a certain way, or who listens to a certain style of music conveys difference and that difference is easily met with disdain. We might not outwardly ridicule them, but in our hearts and actions, we simply avoid them.
This leads me to consider George and Levy. With my background, I grew up with a partiality towards not just Asians, but Koreans, in particular, Korean-Americans. If someone was Caucasian, I usually went in the opposite direction. It was a result of past hurts and current fears. But this partiality kept me from experiencing the wonderful joy of diverse relationship that is found in genuine Christ-centered, cross-cultural relationships. In George, I met a South African Afrikaner, a man I would have never imagined befriending, let alone whose relationship I cherish. He is my spiritual father as well as my friend. His wise words have benefited my ministry, my marriage, and my church. But if I had allowed my partiality to limit me to associate only with Korean-Americans in my life stage with my interests and my class, I would have missed out on one of the most important relationships I have in my life.
I also never would have dreamed of going to Africa for any reason. Talk about foreign, I would be as foreign as anyone could possibly be. But one visit to Africa showed me how beautiful of a land this continent is, not just in its topography, but in its people. And Levy is a prime example of this beauty. His love for Jesus and the orphan exudes joy in the midst of much darkness. When Levy and I can laugh together over some story or joke, I come to see the beauty of God's creation and love, the unity Jesus brings to people so different. And the glory He receives and the satisfaction I receive in such a relationship. What I would miss if I only resolved to be with "my own kind."
Partiality is a sin. It is not only dishonoring to God, it robs us of joyous, glorious relationship not just with one another, but ultimately with Him. I have yet to meet joy-filled racists. They're usually very close-minded, angry people. But I also know that I still struggle with partiality. It is only in Jesus that I know I can overcome partiality. Why is this the case? I know that Jesus was impartial to me when He died for me. He didn't wait for me to be likable, or worthy of His love. He emptied Himself and became nothing for someone like me who was still sinning (Romans 5:8). If Jesus can do that for me, then I want to live this way as well. To do so is to experience a glorious, beautiful world.
I was born in Seoul, South Korea and came over to the United States at 6 months. I grew up in Northern New Jersey where my friends were solely either Irish or Italian-Americans. I was the sole yellow face in the region (though if you go to Northern New Jersey now, you will see a very different New Jersey). Every day's walk to school was a new day to hear some ethnic epithet, some racial put-down. It wasn't fun to say the least.
I also went to a Catholic school. That wouldn't be so bad except that I wasn't Catholic. My parents were Presbyterians and they made sure I didn't take communion. So as the sea of people went up to take the Eucharist, I sat alone in the long wooden pews. Therefore, I was the only Asian Presbyterian in a land of Irish, Italian Catholics. I couldn't stick out any more than I did. It made me despise my ethnic identity. The sad part is that I actually was a part of the majority culture, I don't think I would have been any different. I too probably would have said those racist words. Why do I say that? Because in us, there is a partiality that underlines the heart of every human being.
James writes in 2:1: "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." In other words, we as Christians, are not to be partial to anyone on the basis of any external factors. Beauty, class, ethnicity, nationality, personality, accent, dress, etc., we are to show NO partiality. There are to be NO exceptions. And yet, do we not show partiality on a regular basis? We are more inclined to enjoy someone's company if their personality and interests mesh with our own. The dinners we hold, we invite only certain types of people from certain backgrounds. The conversations we regularly have at church, they are held only with the same groupings of people, people we are more inclined to enjoy. Perhaps if we dared to admit it, we might even show partiality to one of our own children over another. If Jacob can show such partiality so can any parent. Partiality is a much more common sin than we might be willing to admit.
It is this partiality that is at the root of racism. One race determines the other less worthy. One person's "foreignness" is a threat to a certain culture's "way of life." The neighbor who cooks a certain type of food, or who dresses a certain way, or who listens to a certain style of music conveys difference and that difference is easily met with disdain. We might not outwardly ridicule them, but in our hearts and actions, we simply avoid them.
This leads me to consider George and Levy. With my background, I grew up with a partiality towards not just Asians, but Koreans, in particular, Korean-Americans. If someone was Caucasian, I usually went in the opposite direction. It was a result of past hurts and current fears. But this partiality kept me from experiencing the wonderful joy of diverse relationship that is found in genuine Christ-centered, cross-cultural relationships. In George, I met a South African Afrikaner, a man I would have never imagined befriending, let alone whose relationship I cherish. He is my spiritual father as well as my friend. His wise words have benefited my ministry, my marriage, and my church. But if I had allowed my partiality to limit me to associate only with Korean-Americans in my life stage with my interests and my class, I would have missed out on one of the most important relationships I have in my life.
I also never would have dreamed of going to Africa for any reason. Talk about foreign, I would be as foreign as anyone could possibly be. But one visit to Africa showed me how beautiful of a land this continent is, not just in its topography, but in its people. And Levy is a prime example of this beauty. His love for Jesus and the orphan exudes joy in the midst of much darkness. When Levy and I can laugh together over some story or joke, I come to see the beauty of God's creation and love, the unity Jesus brings to people so different. And the glory He receives and the satisfaction I receive in such a relationship. What I would miss if I only resolved to be with "my own kind."
Partiality is a sin. It is not only dishonoring to God, it robs us of joyous, glorious relationship not just with one another, but ultimately with Him. I have yet to meet joy-filled racists. They're usually very close-minded, angry people. But I also know that I still struggle with partiality. It is only in Jesus that I know I can overcome partiality. Why is this the case? I know that Jesus was impartial to me when He died for me. He didn't wait for me to be likable, or worthy of His love. He emptied Himself and became nothing for someone like me who was still sinning (Romans 5:8). If Jesus can do that for me, then I want to live this way as well. To do so is to experience a glorious, beautiful world.