Great Plains Daily Devotional for 6/20/2020

Phillipians 2:1-4

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

As a Micah Corps intern (thanks Great Plains Conference for that great program), we’ve been working this summer on social justice work within the church community. To say it has been a light summer would be quite the understatement. We’ve been navigating a pandemic of both COVID-19 and racism, all while being isolated from each other. As a white woman who grew up in York, Nebraska, I never thought that my ignorance of racial inequality would impact my ability to be a steward of God. That was until an incredible nonprofit, Nebraska Appleseed, shared with us a racial equity training called Cracking the Code. This training has helped me see my white superiority complex and how it impacts my thought process and influences my theology. However, it has also helped me see how I can break this down and use my privilege as a way to empower others, the way Christ intended all of His people to act. 

I found this scripture comforting and confronting during my reflection and effort to be a better white ally to systems of injustice. On the one hand, there is no hesitation to call us out in the scripture! God sees our selfishness and our ability to “other” each other automatically. But God also gives us hope in this scripture, through a call to remain humble, learn from others, and grow from our own faults. This reminds me of the last part of the Micah Corps mission from Micah 6:8 which states “walk humbly with God."

Over my experience with Micah Corps and being a human in 2020, I’ve had to lean into the uncomfortable nature of humility. We all want to be a beacon of light but for me it has been crucial in knowing the places where I am not an expert. Letting other people shine, embracing my own humility, and learning has shown me the pure nature of Christ’s grace. I challenge you to get a little uncomfortable and find new places to grow in your humility this week! 

 

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm  86:1-10, 16-17
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39