30-Year-Old White Evangelical Heterosexual Male
The news and maybe a vaccine card will tell you that’s my identity…it’s not entirely.
My identity is first a child. We all are at one point, right? Helplessly dependent on the care of another. Of course, I’m not biologically, socially, mentally a child any longer. I just turned the page into my third decade a few months ago!
No, spiritually, I choose the posture of child. Jesus even said to his disciples:
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:14-15
Daily, I am growing up into the understanding of what it truly means to live out these short days on this world. And as with any child, I’m dependent on my Heavenly Father, moment-by-moment walking in the footsteps of His Son Jesus through the guidance of his Spirit. The depth of that I’m sure is enough for another post…
This post rather is a confession.
Children grow up, I too must grow up.
I have felt the need for this post ever since we took our first child placement upon our journey into foster care. However, I know if I did at that time, I would have been coming from a place of infantile immaturity. Over the last three years, God has been graciously growing me up in this area of my life and I acknowledge now my voice must no longer be hindered from the fear of uncertainty or insecurity.
I am the foster father of three black African American children.
Beautiful masterpieces handmade in the image of God. Boundlessly destined for eternally significant good works planned and prepared by their Heavenly Father before the creation of the world. I acknowledge the hardship of their heritage and I don’t take lightly the weight of the world they enter into given just the color of their skin. A reality I know I will never fully grasp both for them or for their biological families. I will however choose to learn to understand, appreciate, and take action.
Here on the battle grounds of racial inequality injustice prejudice we also find the atmospheric heights of limitless potential of harmonious beauty. It is here that I am humbly taking a position of child. I desire to grow up and speaking out is one of my first steps.
Those who may know me, understand I lean to be a reserved yet relationally driven person. Quiet and careful with my words. Given the title and first line of this post, it could be taken a bit controversial and perhaps head-scratching. It was honestly hard for me to put out there in words but why? It’s already visually apparent in what is evident about my life and how I choose to live.
Sure, I’ve taken the thousand-dollar college course on multicultural anthropology; quietly sitting taking notes and getting my credits. I’ve also paid out for the plane ticket to and back on a church mission trip, returning home and inevitably returning to my same way of thinking. I’ve even read the socio-economic studies and watched the documentaries; yet has it changed how I in a moment interact with others even considering the daily privileges that I so easily take for granted?
What has all this ‘learning’ accomplished in view of the reality of love? The true Jesus kind of love…?
The Bible warns against knowledge, gifts, and deeds without love…
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
– 1 Corinthians 8:1
Here I have often remained in the posture of a ‘puffed up’ child. Yet I know now that just the contrast of our home’s skin, the story cannot be only seen but must be heard. I stand with my brothers and sisters, those whose skin and race differs from my own: brown, black, Latino, Indian, Asian, mixed, each and all known and perfectly crafted by God. I am sorry that my voice has been muted by insecurity. I choose to grow up and I acknowledge and value your stories.
To the three children here now in our home; may you know that I will never live color blind or be muted outside our home’s walls. You will know the value of your community, the history of your heritage, the uniqueness amongst the colors and voices of this world because you are an imago dei. An image bearer of the Creator. The news, the world, and the enemy may try to devalue you or even twist the Godly perspective of who you are; it won’t happen in my house or on my watch.
I will be love. You will know Father. Agape.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
This home may be just a short stop for you on the journey God has for your life. It will be though a house of miracles, healing, praise. As I hold you close and yet loosely, may you know the eternal embrace of Father’s love. It was purchased by Jesus on the cross for all of humanity and it is inseparable to those you who choose to believe. Nothing in this world. No false identity. No curse. No word. No judge ruling. No system or policy. No other person can change His love for you.
I am increasingly growing up in my awareness of the division in our world. I’m learning to see the divine placement of our home amidst travailing times. I will not be a bystander. Yes, action of love but now too also words of love. More than ever the church, the followers of Jesus, must model of unity, peace, and above all love. Lord, may my home be made wholly holy for every heart that may pass through. May it extend beyond our walls and may we witness the expansion of our territory for your Kingdom glory.
Love always.
Kyle
This is a house of worship
This is a place of praise
Where every demon trembles
Where we proclaim Your name
This is a house of healing
Our hearts are full of faith
You have our full attention
You have the final say
I still believe You’re moving
I still believe You’re speaking
God, I believe You’re working
All things for good
I fix my eyes on Heaven
God, I receive Your vision
God, I believe You’re working
All things for good
Wholly Home 
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