Leadership: Without Prejudice
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?...
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
James 2:1-5, 8-10 (ESV)
I used to think I wasn't prejudiced, although I was born and raised in the South… during decades of social upheaval: the action-packed 60s and 70s.
My mother and partner, Millie Lewis (AMTC and Shine’s inspiring founder), wasn’t simply a model for models, but also a civil rights activist. The Southern belle (turned New York covergirl) would become a talent educator… and couldn’t abide racial prejudice.
As children often do, I followed her. But partiality takes many forms, and two of them were directed at ME, giving me a taste of slurs and shunning.
I was a fat girl when most girls were thin.
I was a lady boss in a “man’s world.”
But later, as a Christian, God revealed a way that I HAVE been prejudiced, too:(
I looked down on people I thought weren’t smart. (UGG! How incredibly STUPID of me.) I didn’t know their backstories or strengths. I didn’t realize my arrogance– or that wisdom is better than “book smarts," gracious personalities, and kind hearts.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
God is clearly biased for NO bias, and time is short to represent Him well. You’ve been called to rise above pettiness, prejudice, pride, and ALL walls that divide.*
Rich or poor, educated or simple, pretty or plain, senator or server, the up-and-at-em's or down-and-outer's, all saints must learn to LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS!
Leadership: Without Prejudice (Part 22)
* 'Ye shall not respect persons in judgment... Or pass judgment, and give sentence according to the outward appearances, circumstances, and relations of men; as whether they be friends or foes, rich or poor, old or young, men or women, learned or unlearned; truth and justice should always take place, without any regard to what persons are: but you shall hear the small as well as the great; persons in low life, and in mean circumstances, as well as great and noble personages; or little causes and of no great moment, as well as those of the utmost importance; all must be attended to...'..
'Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; of the frowns and threatenings of rich men, and of such as are in power and authority; not be awed or intimidated by them from doing justice...'
'For the judgment is God's; judges stand in the place of God, are put into their office by Him, and act under Him, and for Him, and are accountable to Him; and therefore should be careful what judgment they make, or sentence they pass, lest they bring discredit to Him, and destruction on themselves' (Gill's Exposition on the Bible re: Dt 1:17); http://biblehub.com/commentaries/deuteronomy/1-17.htm..
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!