"From one man he made every nation of men … " Acts 17:26 (NIV)

As a white male, I've often had difficulty understanding what it feels like to be a minority. And in the rare cases when I've been in those situations, it's only been for a very brief period of time, and I soon return to my life as part of a racial majority.

When I decided to teach in an inner city school, however, I quickly became aware of my minority status. The alternative public school in which I teach is comprised entirely of African American students. The only whites are some of the teachers and the lunch lady. I'm the only white male employee.

As I found myself suddenly in a minority situation, I began to learn from the African American majority. I learned about new types of foods, new expressions, and a new style of life that had been foreign to me. I think it's fair to say that I've never experienced such personal growth prior to working at the school.

I believe that God has marvelous surprises in store for each of us. He wants to move us beyond the "normal" and comfortable and help us to see ourselves and the world around us more clearly. As a loving God, he can't sit idly by while we think our particular race or culture has the last word on what Christianity is all about.

God loves the variety that is inherent in color. But he hates being put into the little boxes we construct for him. Let's all work harder at letting God turn us on to the richness and texture of the world and the people he has made.

P.S. This is my last "Open Line" for the Connection. I've enjoyed working with the newsletter over the past few years. I thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. I'll miss you all. " … I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in him … " Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)

— Matt Donnelly, for the ChristianityToday.com staff

Sign up for the Connection Newsletter and receive a new article plus a whole lot more in your inbox every week!

Read more from 'Open Line'