It was refreshing to watch Black America Since MLK And Still I Rise on PBS. I’m impressed with the way the Black Panther Party organized to protect black people from the police and to address the social ills in the Black community. They were united in purpose as they provided feeding programs, protection, sickle cell screening, school breakfast programs… Wouldn’t it be nice if our churches would exhibit that type of unity in the community? The young people during that time were more radical than Dr. King and his nonviolent protesters. Hmmm… looks like that’s right where we are today. With the proliferation of guns in this society, I pray for the preservation of life, economic empowerment of disenfranchised people, and respect for the rich legacy of a people who learned to keep hope alive. People who know not that we were all created in the image of God need to hear the truth and understand it well. HATE directed toward black people is misdirected. Why not hate the living God who decided to deposit more melanin in us for his own divine purpose? Take your complaint to Him. In his book, Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin (a white man who dyed his skin), proved that he was hated just because of his skin color. How sad!
Here’s a word of encouragement for those who are experiencing fear: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). It’s easy to LOVE when you come to the realization that all that you are and all that you have are gifts from God that can be taken away at any moment in time.