BREAKING DOWN THE DIVIDING WALLS
By Coreen Jackson, Ph.D.
"For he is our peace; in his flesh he has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us." Ephesians 2:14 NRSV.

Over 70 women gathered in the Wallace Chapel at Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee to unite in prayer, worship, and fellowship. White women and black women waited in great anticipation for the Lord to speak through our featured speaker Eleanor Graves, First Lady of the Temple Church. The Spirit of the Lord began stirring each heart as the powerful, life-transforming, and unifying message came forth. The atmosphere was charged with the awesome presence of God and we knew that yokes were in trouble and walls would come crashing down. Sister Graves addressed the walls that stood as monuments between us, thus hindering us from truly loving one another as sisters. She said what the black race needs to hear from the whites is that they are truly sorry for what their ancestors did. The blacks on the other hand, needed to forgive the whites and release them from the guilt they have been carrying. After leading us through several exercises, we came to the point of self- introspection to evaluate the conditions of our hearts towards God and each other. Tears of repentance, confession and surrender followed.

Then it happened. A white sister took a towel and a basin of water and knelt down at Sister Graves' feet to wash them. As she washed her feet with her tears first, and the water afterwards, she asked Eleanor and the black women present to forgive white people for the injustice done to their ancestors. She wailed with remorse and said she did not know that what Black people needed to hear from Whites was that they were sorry. By this time the black women were surrounded by white sisters who were also crying profusely and asking for forgiveness. The yokes began to break, and the walls of racism began to tumble. Liberation had began. Black and white women clung to each other forgiving and wiping each others tears: a spiritual Kodak moment.

Have you ever wrestled with hatred, unforgiveness and resentment against a person or group of people? Perhaps you too want to experience this liberation from the iron clasps of racism. I have good news. Jesus can set you free. The scripture says that whoever the Son sets free is free indeed. Here are some lessons I have learned about breaking down the walls that divide us in our churches, families and communities.

First, have a sincere desire to make God number one in your life. Allow him to be king of your life. He comes before spouse, children, job, church work, schedules, appointments and appearance. He must be given first place in your heart, and first priority in your day. Jesus charges us to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. Meditate on him throughout the day.

Second, strive to please God in all that you do. That means in word, thought, and deed. Seek to follow his commandments, walk in his footsteps, forgive others, and treat people with respect. Choose God's ways over your ways, his will over your will, and his agenda over your agenda.

Third, love your neighbors. Sister Graves challenged us that one way we can love others is to accept each others unique differences and to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. She charged us to be like Ruth and Naomi who were different in age, race and religious background. Yet they united in love, made a commitment to each other to go with each other, to serve the same God, and to embrace each other race. Loving your neighbors may also mean going out of your comfort zone to know people who are different.

Fourth, repent of personal sins and surrender your all to God. Humble yourself and ask God to forgive you of all your known and unknown sins. Eleanor encouraged us to put up our white flag in surrender to the Lord.

Fifth, forgive those who have hurt you or your ancestors. Holding onto bitterness, hatred, resentment, and anger over past hurts, will kill the spirit, stifle unconditional love, and will ruin your life. If you want to be liberated, try truly forgiving others from the very depths of your soul.

Sixth, release that person from guilt through love. Blacks cannot forever blame the white race for the injustices of their forefathers. What black ancestors endured was inhumane, unjust, and downright cruel. Yet, Jesus calls us to live a life of love and forgiveness. Let us release the white race in our hearts for what their ancestors did to ours.

Seventh, walk in unity. Psalms 133:1-2 sums it up nicely for us. "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard: even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;" Let the body of Christ unite as one in the power of love.

Let's Pray

Father, forgive my sins of racism and unforgiveness. I confess sins of bitterness, anger, and hatred towards all those who have hurt me , my family and ancestors. Liberate me this day I pray and help me to walk in love towards all persons. Thank you for your redeeming love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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