Conquering Racial Lines

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

There is nothing in all the world that brings people together like sports. As proven by the Trayvon Martin case, I am always amazed at how racially divided the world still is. I am not taking a stance as to who was right or wrong, all I know is two lives were ruined that day. One by the bullet that stopped Trayvon’s heart, and the other by the racially motivated stigma that George Zimmerman will have to live with for the rest of his life.

In truth, I do not know who was at fault. I do, however, know how the media reported it, and how the public perceived it. The unfortunate truth is that for most, the presumption of guilt or innocence was purely based upon racial lines. The overwhelming majority of African American’s perceived George Zimmerman as guilty, and their white brethren presumed his innocence. America is still deeply divided.

That is where the miracle of sports comes in. The racial divide is obliterated between the lines of the athletic field, and praise God, the friendships made remain for life. The athletic field breeds unity, and in the eyes of Yahweh, it is beautiful to behold.

Having spent my early childhood in the era of the 1970’s, the fight for racial equality was in full swing when my childhood best friend moved into the house at the end of the block. The night after he did, a cross was burned on his front lawn, and the “N” word was spray painted onto the side of his new home. As a nine year old, I was well aware of what was going on, and I guess I don’t have to tell you the young man who became my best childhood friend was black.

My first introduction to Rick was on the football field in August of that year. As the first day of practice commenced on that sweltering August evening, I was known as the fastest guy on my team—until we ran the first wind sprint. That was the day I realized I was the second fastest. In truth, however, it was really close, and that is how our bond began. I would win some and Rick would win some. We spent the rest of the summer trying to settle the issue. We never did.

I did have him beat on the basketball court though—or so I thought. We spent the fall and winter trying to settle that issue. Our athletic abilities were so close that we spent season after season, futilely attempting to determine who was the better athlete. Somehow, in the midst of all the competition, we realized we had become best friends. To us, skin color was never a consideration. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. (Psalm 133:2) Aaron was the brother of the legendary Old Testament prophet, Moses. It is to Aaron, and his descendants that the priesthood was conferred upon as an everlasting covenant.

To consecrate the priest of God as holy, the ancients would anoint them with oil. This simply means that they would pour a jar of oil over their heads. The oil running down the head, through the beard, and into the garments of the priest, symbolically illustrated the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit upon God’s royal priest.

In unity, God views humanity the same way. In the unity of the brethren, where racial lines are thrown aside for brotherly love, God fills the believer with the power and love of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into the truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Nowhere is the power of God more evident in our lives than in the unity and brotherhood created on the sports fields of America, and throughout the world.

In this incredible atmosphere of brotherly love our spirits are refreshed. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion. (Psalm 133a) God finds it so refreshing that to Him unity is like the cool morning dew descending upon the mountains of Zion. It is the life giving Living Water that can only be found in the brotherly love of Christ. Unity is so refreshing to our heavenly Father that it causes Him to rise up, act and give the command.

For there (in unity) the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. (Psalm 133:3b)

May the Lord bless you!

John is a regular blogger on God culture and has completed the first of a three part book series “God Culture”. Please take the time to visit his efforts.

The link to the God Culture blog is wpserver6.com/understandingthealmighty