from other lands. This has made her a
great multi�ethnic melting pot. The
integration of many into one people,
land and culture has not always pro-
ceeded smoothly. In fact, of the six
races listed in U.S. Census Bureau re-
cords for 2013, tensions have been
present between many of them
across the years.
assume your question pertains to
connecting with African Americans.
This issue has been a sensitive one,
and many have suffered on both
sides of the experience. I recommend
that you first examine your motiva-
tion. Why do you want to start such a
conversation? Is it something God has
laid on your heart? Are there people
of color you work with that you would
like to understand more deeply? Make
sure your motivation is correct, and
not self�serving or superficial.
ing speakers, seminars, even college
classes that will begin to introduce
you to this subject. Ask the Holy Spir-
it to guide you to those community
services that will be the most benefi-
cial to you. In many of these educa-
tional events, opportunities to con-
nect will present themselves.
turns listening and sharing. So be
prepared to do both.
at them. Everyone was created in
God's image, and so are of great
worth. "So God created human be-
ings in His own image. In the image
of God He created them; male and fe-
male He created them" (Genesis 1:27).
love and longing to partner with each
in life.
what Samson allowed Deliah to do. In
the years before the people of Israel
formed their first kingdom, there was
no central government among the 12
tribes of Israel. So God identified suc-
cessive individuals to act as judges to
provide leadership. Samson was one
such individual raised up to be a
judge over Israel.
er the Israelites from their enemy and
uniqueness came from God's provi-
sion that Samson be a Nazarite, one
specially dedicated to God. Along
with this designation, God gave him
great physical strength to combat the
enemies of Israel. Samson's responsi-
bility was to never cut his hair.
life dedicated to God. Instead, we
read of a man who does not follow
God's commands, is self�indulgent,
takes no personal responsibility and
makes alliances with the very enemy
God appointed him to destroy.
He was engaged in a sexual relation-
ship with her outside of marriage. He
didn't take his position as a Nazarite,
consecrated to God, seriously.
with Delilah. He was blinded by the
sins he had so readily embraced in his
life. As to why he repeatedly gave in
to her, it is the same mystery we see
in people today who continually re-
peat the same sin, engage in the
same bad behavior even when it is di-
sastrous. The answer is that sin blinds
the sinner, making them think some-
how that they can outsmart, outwit
Satan. But like Samson, they become
the prey in their own devices.
I feel awkward in addressing
racial issues because it is a sensi-
tive subject. What is a safe way
to open a conversation?
him twice before in trying to find
the source of his strength?
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