the culture of denise

I went to a conference this past weekend  called "Inked." Inked was centered around the ethnic identity of Asian American students in particular, and how that ethnic identity relates us to God and how it affects the manner in which we relate to Him. So I began to think again about the culture of my self, Denise, and the parts of me that reflect the image of God well. I brooded over the parts of Denise that blur that image and can become obstructions to myself and others from knowing Him more deeply.

I went to one of the seminars they offered at the conference, and this one in particular was about race relations and marginalization. A working definition of the latter is that there are those who are at the center of power who define what the "norm" is, and by that definition, impose an identity of "Other" on another group, who is thus pushed to the margins. And I began to brood again about the ways in which I make myself out to be some center of power, define what is "good" and what is "worthy," and thereby marginalize people with my assessments and judgments.

I've been thinking lately about how hard it is to measure up to God's standards of beauty, truth, and righteousness. That's what grace is for, I suppose. And you know, I am so indescribably grateful that I worship a God who holds me to higher standards. I could never praise--let alone love--one who did not.