What a great book to just sit and marinate in! There were many points in the book where I had to stop and just contemplate what Reyes had written. Her personal stories and courageous sharing of her internal monologue really pushed me to consider my own actions and responses to people of color. I had to grapple with the fact that I have often liked the idea of cross-cultural relationships more than holistically pursuing them.

This is an engaging and challenging read. It’s a great one for any white Christian who is ready to grow in how we relate to others.

Becoming All Things by Michelle Reyes is an incredibly timely book as our (American) culture grapples with increased polarization and as many more people in the evangelical church, myself included, are beginning to lean into God's call to racial reconciliation. Looking carefully at 1 Corinthians 9, Michelle gives concrete examples of how "becoming all things" is part of the Jesus-way to connect with people from other cultures - not just people of other ethnicities, but people from any way of life or thought or worldview or practice that is different than our own. This requires some self-understanding of our own culture, some Christ-like humility to give up our own ways of doing things and viewing things, and the creativity and openness to actually embrace the "other." This book is completely applicable to anyone who wants to grow in racial justice and seek cross-cultural relationships, but I also found lightbulb moments even in my everyday life of being a wife, coworker, or friend. Because ultimately, my own pride and belief in the rightness of my views and ways affect those relationships as well, whether it's how I think the dishwasher should be loaded or what kind of behavior I think is considered "respectable." I was especially challenged by her chapter about cultural appropriation as someone who enjoys different types of ethnic cuisine. "When we purchase, consume, or wear something from someone else's culture, will they feel honored or mocked, advantaged or disadvantaged? ... Consider what America might be like if people loved Mexicans as much as they loved tacos. How would our society be different if people loved the Black community as much as they loved their music (e.g. hip-hop, R&B, blues, etc.)?" Another lightbulb moment was when Michelle pointed out the distinction between the Mosaic law, which required strict conformity in culture and theology, vs. the new covenant, which "redeems all people and cultures" and in fact, encourages US to change ourselves to meet others where they are, just as Jesus did.

This is a great primer for multicultural unity - especially for dominant culture Christians who aren’t sure what being an ally should practically look like. Reyes takes the patience to recall personal experiences that should stir humility and reflection, and takes the time and effort to explain how “small changes” can be essential in honoring people we interact with from cultures different than our own.

A pretty great foundational book for understanding cultural differences with some really important concepts for white Christians before they enter into conversations on racism and justice.