Rick Meidel
“For God does not show favoritism.” - Romans 2:11
I grew up in the country outside Auburn, Illinois, a small town, population 3,000. It was a close-knit community, as most small towns are I suppose. I didn’t recognize it as clearly then as I do now, but everyone looked exactly like me. Sometime in my youth, I recall that an African-American family moved to our little town. I don’t remember any physical violence, but I can guess that there was an emotional toll. I recall the family didn’t stay around very long. As I’ve aged, I find myself stumbling with names I should remember or forgetting what I had for breakfast; and yet I can recall this memory of one particular family that I don’t think I ever met.
Before being recruited by Crowley, I spent 32 years with ExxonMobil. As I retired there, to begin a different path, I was reflective about my long career. I don’t think anyone could have predicted - certainly not me - that a small-town kid would join the ranks of one of the largest, most successful, companies in the world. I mean, come on, my very first trip on an airplane was when I interviewed for the job! I reflected on what I valued the most from that experience. It wasn’t recognition. It wasn’t prestige. It wasn’t money. What I continue to value most was the opportunity to travel the world, not just learning about other cultures but immersing myself in those cultures. I spent considerable time in places like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, Eastern Europe, Turkmenistan, and many more. I like to joke that I can order a cold beer and get to a toilet in a multitude of languages! My travel experiences were eye-opening. They were enjoyable. And those experiences changed my life.
My travel experiences impacted my views about diversity and inclusion; they shaped the way I build organizations and teams within my work. Sometimes I want to pat myself on the back. And as my Facebook page blows up with everyone’s posts of solidarity about the recent, horrific events in our country, I wonder if others are wanting to pat themselves on the back too. The problem can’t be me! I belong to an inclusive church! No, it must be someone else. I’ll just sit and watch the news. But the problem is me. And the problem may be you, too. As I tell people when we get into such a discussion, think about the last number of times you’ve had people over for a visit to your home. Was there diversity in the guest list? Not so much at my house. I look down my rather lengthy Christmas card list, and I can’t find much diversity there either. I can come up with some reasons perhaps; but they aren’t very good reasons. If I can develop, and value, a diverse team at work, and if I can share in words the value of diversity as I raised my children, why doesn’t that show up as much, with action, in my personal life? I’m not racist, but perhaps I show favoritism. It’s embarrassing and I’m ashamed.
In the Romans scripture above, Paul places God’s absolute lack of favoritism against the motives or tendencies of our human heart. As humans, we do in fact show favoritism. We may not embarrass ourselves with this favoritism. Our favoritism may not ever put us in a compromising situation or land us on the wrong side of the law. Nonetheless, that favoritism leads to bias, as unconscious as that bias may be. I know God can't be pleased when we have regard for one group of people over another, and especially if we have that regard based on language, skin color, cultural origin or any other filter, without any regard for the person inside.
I’m getting older. My parents, obviously, even older. I’m losing friends with whom I grew up. Other friends are battling life-threatening illnesses. I guess now, I think more about life eternal. As I think about what it might be like, one day, to greet the Father, I know I’ll be surrounded by others; a very diverse group of others. No group will be above another. I don’t want to be embarrassed or ashamed in that setting. No, not in front of the Father. Before that day comes, I can and will do better. We can do better, together.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” - Revelation 7:9-10
Father, help us reflect on your absolute lack of favoritism while recognizing our own shortcomings. Don’t let us be satisfied with good words and good thoughts. Guide our actions toward your higher purpose. We pray for all those who are suffering from recent, diversity related events. We want to do better. We know we can be better. Show us the way. In His name, Amen.
Rick Meidel, his wife Natalie and daughter Sarah have attended St. John UMC since 2018. Rick can be reached at meidy@me.com or 832-418-9200.