A few months ago my sister in law posted two words as her Facebook status- “radical acceptance.” I had heard the phrase “radical hospitality” but not “radical acceptance.” I was very intrigued by the statement and began pondering what this means for me as a Child of God. Radical acceptance has a different connotation as well as additional implications for Christians.
In order to better understand for myself the idea of radical acceptance I decided to use my trusty computer dictionary to look up the definition of each word. According to the dictionary when something is radical it is “characterized by departure from tradition [and is] innovative or progressive.” The idea here is that there is a change in the fundamental nature of what is being described as radical. Acceptance is defined as “the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group.” Radical acceptance can be viewed as a fundamental change that is innovative or progressive in the nature of the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable in to a specific group.
As Christians we are called into radical acceptance. We are called to be transformational in our thoughts and actions. We are called to transform the way our culture views the concept of acceptance. Jesus was perfect embodiment of radical acceptance. Jesus healed those were the culture viewed as not healable. He ate meals with sinners. He touched those who the culture said were impure. He loved those who were not lovable. Jesus’ full acceptance of those in society who were considered unacceptable is epitomizes radical acceptance.
How do we as Children of God embody radical acceptance in todays culture? Our culture tells us to accept only those who are like us and agree with us. It tells us to accept others only if it will benefit the group the way WE want it to. It tells us to accept the status quo. If we as Christians want to embody radical acceptance we must do as Jesus did. We must seek out those who our culture deems unacceptable. We must see them through God’s lens and see them as the perfectly spiritual beings they truly are! When we are able to see them in this way we can then accept them as Children God. They will become an essential member of our family or faith community. Remember God calls us to embody radical acceptance everyday!
In what ways can you embody radical acceptance? In what ways can our congregations embody radical acceptance?
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