By Liz Chang

“It’s more of the same and yet different” were the words that echoed in a text message I received from a friend reaching out to show support and care this past week. More of the same racism, violence, and byproduct of white supremacy. And yet different in the racial identity of those targeted this time. The news was fresh: a white man targeted massage parlors in the Atlanta area and killed eight people, six of which were Asian women. Another shooting, another incidence of violence that reveals the deeply seeded impact and influence of white supremacy as it entrenches the dimensions and intersections of race, occupation, sexuality, religion, gender, age, and socioeconomics in the U.S. 

This isn’t new and it especially isn’t new to God. The racism, the misogyny, the prejudice, the violence, the hate, the oppression, the marginalization, the injustice, and the pain and suffering with it all… none are new to God. 

So, how do we worship a God who sees and knows and hears and is ever-present in the midst of this? This, being the struggle that has existed for all of human history… a group of people oppressing those outside of its “in” group; a race or people group asserting or establishing power through violence and furthering its control through the systems, institutions, laws, and policies it creates. This is more of the same and yet different in each version of it.

What does it mean to worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24) in the midst of trauma after trauma, collectively, individually, and secondarily? Collective trauma can be felt deeply when traumatic violence, oppression, injustice and marginalization occurs among those who have a shared identity as oneself; when one person suffers, we are in it together. Individual trauma occurs as a person has their own traumatic experience. And, secondary trauma can occur as we hear of traumatic experiences second-hand whether through news headlines, rewatching traumatic video clips, absorbing others’ traumatic stories, etc. 

When I think about worshipping God in Spirit, I think of the Spirit of God that is all about liberation, freedom, justice, mercy, and humility. I think of the Kingdom of God and all that it stands for. And, I think of the wisdom of God that provides understanding of these complex issues. In worship, I have to seek God’s wisdom and clarity on what is true of the Kingdom of God because these problems are too big a load for me to carry, understand, or change on my own. And in Spirit, we seek and are met with God’s heart that is also full of anger, grief, and lament. With God, we are justified, validated, comforted, and encouraged. And it doesn’t end there. 

When the reality of this struggle continues to challenge our belief in the existence of a God who is Deliverer, All-powerful, Almighty, and Good, the truth is that God can handle our doubt and questioning. I must believe and trust in a God of possibility, especially with the things that seem impossible to me—the change of hearts, minds, groups of people and larger systems. That is where hope is found, in a God who is making all things new.

We worship through how we live. Our words, our actions, our relationships, our creativity, our service, our goals, our decisions, our thought processes… These are all forms of worship. And if we are to worship God in Spirit and in truth, we would be doing more of the living out God’s kingdom here on earth: learning to do right, defending the oppressed, seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). In other words in the context of race: educating ourselves, advocating, being an ally, and embodying cultural humility.

My prayer is that we continue to endure and persevere in the cause of justice in whatever that looks like in our spheres of influence. May God fill us with hope and may we not grow weary or lose heart.

Liz Chang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families as the owner and founder of Radiant Marriage and Family Therapy (radiantmft.com) in Seattle, WA. Liz is Korean-American, was born and raised in New York City, and now resides in Seattle where she and her husband enjoy going for walks in nature and are constantly entertained by their cats Benny and Cheez-it (Instagram @bennyslyf).