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Interruptions to our lives happen on a daily basis. Many of us have job or family demands that see several intrusions in the span of only a few minutes. Admittedly, these often bother me. On a good day I can recover quickly and return to what I was doing. On a bad day I am completely sidetracked with my only hope being a good night’s sleep and the promise of a new day.
I recently experienced an interruption of a different kind. This one was not unexpected, but rather welcomed - although I did so with some ignorance. It was also different in that I shared it with 25 other people and it affects the centrality of my faith. Most importantly, this is not an interruption that I want to bounce back from. Rather, I choose to dwell in the midst of it and even consider it having a new identity in my life – it is now more of a change of direction, a renewed sense of purpose.
 What kind of interruption is this? My participation in the course, Basic Training: WHC Reconciliation in Action stirred my heart and mind in such a way that I consider myself changed. Changed, motivated and humbled all at the same time.
The course is a combination of theoretical study and practical application. Terms such as “white privilege,” “racialized society,” and “ internalized oppression” are now part of my working vocabulary. Class members will have an opportunity to use the knowledge gained as we partner with other manifestations of the Body of Christ. We are connecting with several other churches to share life and bridge the gulf that exists between Christians of different cultural backgrounds. This will begin in the context of worship and has potential to grow into deeper relationships that will also serve as bridges between people that God desires to see united in Him.
This has been an “interruption” experience for all of us because it has caused us to change course. For some, the class has mostly solidified what has been a life calling for several years. For others the experience has jarred their understanding of the world in a new way. Yet others are allowing the new insight to shape decisions about where to live and work. For all of us, it has served as a catalyst to accept that, as believers and Covenant Partners of Woodland Hills Church, we have no choice but to live out the mandate of reconciliation.
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. As one classmate honestly admitted, “Reconciliation is a complex, messy process.” When reconciliation is, as another class member recognized, “more than just being nice to others,” it requires a deep level of commitment that challenges every part of one’s life. When applied to our interactions with the world on personal and systemic levels, this responsibility can be burdensome and taxing. Many class members have noted the difficulty in sharing with loved ones their growing passion to live out God’s command to be reconciled to one another. It can also be challenging to know how to combat racism in institutions and societal structures.
We all deeply affirm that the only hope is in Christ, who not only modeled reconciliation but gives direction and strength to live a lifestyle that is deeply counter-cultural. It is in this hope that we move forward as people who prioritize reconciliation as a lifestyle. We know we cannot live this perfectly, but we have chosen to accept the challenge offered by this course.
As a pilot course, this has been the beginnings of what we hope is a broad transmission of this understanding and conviction within the Body of Christ. The instructors (Tyler DeArmond and Dwayne Polk, both associate pastors at Woodland Hills) will take these beginnings and work with others to form a model that will be duplicated at here and beyond as the Lord leads.
As we in the class continue to process information and assume what one class member affirmed as our “responsibility to take direct action as reconcilers,” we will welcome the interruptions that challenge us to step out of our homogenous comfort zones.
We pray for more to join us on this journey… How should your life be interrupted?
article by Erica Hunt
email her about this piece at dananderica@prodigy.net | 
