The Hoodie Dads Get Real About Racism – Day 2

As today for me started with a verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 coming to mind it feels and seems to resonate with stepping in and facing today’s devotional too. We shouldn’t shy away or fear discussing it for God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving, and sensible. So I return to our devotional we started yesterday in anticipation of today’s topic.

Scripture for Today’s Devotional:

‘ Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].’

Romans 12:15

‘ And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,’

Hebrews 10:24

‘ As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].’

1 Peter 4:10

Let’s be the dads who lean and are willing to face life head-on because we know that we can cast all our cares on God because He cares for us! Let’s be the dads who lean in on God’s Word because we know that it never returns void! Let’s be the dads who trust God rather than leaning on our own understanding, acknowledging and seeking His will, and allowing Him to show us what path to take!

Let’s be the dads who are present at the moment with people! Let’s be the dads who rejoice with those who rejoice! Let’s be the dads who weep with those who weep! Let’s be the dads who keep an eye out for one another! Let’s be the dads who consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up, stimulate, and incite to love and helpful deeds and noble activities! Let’s be the dads who receive what God has given us and remember that He didn’t give us gifts to hoard or hide but to share for the greater good, to shine so that darkness will flee and others will see the light! Let’s be the dads who employ God’s gift for one another in order for it to benefit others! Let’s be the dads who are good stewards of the gifts God gives us! Let’s be the dads who live giving to others the grace that God gives to us!

Today’s devotional has been provided to us by Elevation Church!

Reading through today’s devotional, here are some takeaways for me: (check out the devotional on your own too to see if you pick up other nuggets, and please share your findings in the comments)

For more information, please visit: https://elevationchurch.org/youth

Takeaways from Today’s Devotionals:
“Who Are They? “

This is such an incredible devotional as today also begins with a great video and so let’s watch it before we proceed.

• Let’s be the dads who start our day in God’s Word!
• Today’s devotional kicks off in God’s Word:
  • Proverbs 4:7b (TPT) says, “Revelation knowledge is what you need—so invest in it.”
• Definition:
  • Revelation is a surprising or previously unknown fact. 
• Let’s be the dads who invest in things that could be surprising and previously unknown!
• Let’s be the dads who realize the difference between information and revelation is an experience!
• Let’s be the dads who know that if we haven’t experienced it then we are more at risk of knowing information and thinking we have a revelation!
• Let’s be the dads who know that if we try to use the information without a relationship then we are further away from the truth!
• Let’s be the dads who have diverse relationships!
• Let’s be the dads who invest in revelation and relationships!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that we need to invest in what others care about!
• Let’s be the dads who spend time building up relationships with others, with our brothers and sisters!
• Let’s be the dads who desire and seek to have perspective and be intentional!
• Let’s be the dads who are getting better, getting to be better husbands, and better dads because of the revelations God has allowed and enabled us to have!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that racism is the opposite of relationships!
• Let’s be the dads who build relationships in order to be overcomers of racism!
• Let’s be the dads who realize we have all been created in the image of God!
• Let’s be the dads who study and realize how from the beginning of time there has been the challenge of racism because of the falling of humanity and consider how you can spend time loving on and learning from your brothers about their experiences and receive the revelation through it!
• Let’s be the dads who are ready and willing to learn about other people’s experiences!
• Today’s devotional starts with the word of a revelation:
  • “Revelation is a powerful word. The definition of revelation is “a surprising and previously unknown fact.” That “previously unknown” piece is pivotal. “
• Today’s devotional challenges us because we have a responsibility to do!
  • “We have a responsibility to actively seek to learn and understand others. The responsibility of understanding other people doesn’t fall on one race — no ethnicity or culture is exempt from this task. We all must continually seek revelation about others and their experiences if we want to end racial injustice.“
• Today’s devotional challenges us to expand our perspective:
  • “Limiting your life to only one perspective keeps your life small. When you expand your circle of friends to include more diversity, there’s a good chance you’ll also find more revelation knowledge, beauty, and fulfillment. “
• Today’s devotional calls us to study, reflect upon and consider the ministry of Jesus:
  • “Consider the ministry of Jesus — our account of the gospel doesn’t come from one person. It comes from four different people (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) who are telling the same story but from different perspectives. Having so many points of view telling the story of the gospel brings a rich fullness and clarity to who Jesus was.“
• Let’s be the dads who remember how God created us all in His image and as such let’s choose to love others as God loves and has taught us to love!
• Today’s devotional calls this out when it says:
  • “Genesis 1:27 says we are made in God’s image. It doesn’t say God made one specific race in His image. Every single human on this planet was made in the image of God, and if you believe God’s Word to be true, then you can’t accept or tolerate any prejudices or injustices — whether those sins live in your heart or the hallways of your school. Racial discrimination is in direct contradiction to God’s truth.“
• Today’s challenge from our devotional is around connection and relationship:
  • “Can you start a conversation this week with someone who doesn’t look like you, with the goal of listening to their perspective and maybe even their pain? Ask God to give you revelation knowledge in your conversation so empathy can replace any indifference or injustice living in your heart.“
• Let’s be the dads who “take time today to read the scriptures listed above, and think about where you need to seek revelation knowledge and who in your life needs your empathy and understanding“!