If you asked me a year ago what my approach to biblical justice is, I would have given an answer that was both uninformed and lacking in detail. However, in my first year as a Perkins Fellow, I have confronted myself about the true meaning of biblical justice, its impact on my own faith, and how I can contribute to the vision of an equal world for all. And part of that has been being surrounded by passionate, inspired Christians, who are not afraid to push themselves out of their comfort zones. By witnessing their example, I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone this year.
Before CCDA came around, I was nervous. I had never been to a Christian conference before, and I wasn’t exactly sure what would be discussed there. However, it was at CCDA that my own comfort zone was shattered and my eyes were opened. As a black woman, I am aware of racial tensions and the struggles of African-Americans as pertaining to the American church. Yet, it was at CCDA that I realized just how little I had thought about and actively cared for my disabled brothers and sisters in Christ. Or my indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ. Or my incarcerated ones. That list extends on and on. This revelation shook me to my core, and brought me to my knees before God asking for a change in my life. I had never realized how selfish I had been until pushed away from what I was most comfortable with, and I am all the better for it.
Volunteering with Abudant Life has been such a highlight of Perkins Fellows. Even in the throes of sickness and exhaustion in the midst of a busy semester, giving my time to tutoring the children at Johnson Elementary School has been an incredible blessing. Even though we don’t talk about faith directly to the children in that setting, it is a joy to connect with the kids, play outside with them, and help guide them in their learning. Taking the time to truly connect with a younger generation has been another lesson for me when it comes to selflessness and humility.
Over the past year, I have had a front row seat to witnessing how my faith has changed. I’ve seen firsthand the powerful nature of Christ’s love, and how we are called to care for others in so many ways that each look different. Through Abundant Life, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside my peers as we simple engage with children who don’t always have opportunities that more well-to-do kids have. I’ve learned so much from these kids about how to form lasting friendships, and admired their strength even in difficult circumstances. Tutoring them taught me just as much as it taught them, albeit in a different way. CCDA was another aspect of this, and contributed to my feeling called to walk alongside those who Jesus would notice and others might ignore. The Lord is endlessly faithful!