Privilege

Good morning, Five Minute Families. Let’s discuss privilege. Now, we are not saying “check your privilege” in the current, woke, political way. So, please don’t check out on us. As Christ-centered families, we need to understand what special advantages or disadvantages we have in order to better serve in this world.First, let’s define what privilege actually is. Oxford Languages says privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.” Now, that definition can be used in many ways, but Collins Dictionary brings it more to the point we want to discuss today: “Someone who is privileged has an advantage or opportunity that most other people do not have, often because of their wealth or connections.”Think briefly about the child raised by musical parents who are able to help him outside of his piano lesson time because they have musical knowledge, too; he gets the advantage of extra instruction and guided practice time. The young adult who wants to start a business with a relative in that business can talk over a family meal instead of scheduling an appointment during the work day with someone in that industry - an opportunity that not everyone starting out will have.The grandchild who inherits family land and has a family member with a tractor who can come and bushhog for only the cost of fuel or maybe even for free.The subdivision family who has kind neighbors who bring a meal when they hear that someone in the family is injured. Obviously, the examples could go on and on. The reality is that there are many, many people out there who do not have the privilege of a support system of helpful family, close friends, and caring neighbors. Likewise, there are folks who aren’t around the lingo, expectations, and unwritten rules that go along with being part of a specific community, even church. Before you judge the person who isn’t participating in a dinner out because she doesn’t have money for a babysitter… Before you judge the person walking down the street filthy, spending two times as much money for the milk at the closest store within walking distance because they have no way to get to the more cost-effective store… Before you judge the parent who put their child on a device at the restaurant… Before you judge the child who is screaming their head off for not getting a piece of candy… Before all of that, pray and realize the beautiful privileges God has given you.Yes, some will still want to weaponize the word ‘privilege’ in racial discussions. Some want to weaponize this word in their own jealousy. But, let’s discuss biblical privilege and explore what God would have us understand about the concept of privilege.Remember, we believers - no matter what skin color, nation, or culture we have - we believers have the same eternal privilege. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”Also, we believers have the Holy Spirit indwelling us so we can express the fruit of the Spirit even when our flesh calls out for the opposite. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”We believers grieve with hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.”These are privileges that we did nothing for: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”You know, I didn’t realize how truly privileged I am to be married to a good and Godly man who even when he messes up, repents and asks for forgiveness. It is, apparently, a small group of women who have men like that. When I speak to other women about relationships with their husbands, I must realize the privilege that my husband has given me. I didn’t, at first, of course. It took the hurting heart of another woman who had shared her story with me to point out - in not so kind terms - that while, yes, our husbands had made similar mistakes in our marriages, my husband was repentant and willing to work on our marriage. Her husband was not and wanted her to simply forgive and forget without any change on his part. Be open to the truth of your biblical, financial, educational, community, status, and other types of privilege or lack. It is ok to see the advantages God has afforded you and your family. As you reach out to one another in love, be kind. Be blessed!