Happy February 2021, friends. I am reflecting on the God of the universe and how he loves all.
God is the God of love.
God is Creator, Love, Kind, Patient, Compassionate, and so much more.
Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Day 1. We’re talking about a heroine: Ruby Bridges. Over 61 years ago (my parents are older than that!) she was on the steps of a Lousiana school to bring light to desegregation! Can you imagine a little girl without a cape and armor and superpowers like the in movies braving hatred, name calling, law that said she can’t go to school because her skin is black and so on… she BRAVED school!
Here’s what Jesus said… he came for the Jews AND the GENTILES… all people matter to him and he would definitely spoken up and walked with sweet, little and brave Ruby Bridges in the flesh.
Ephesians 2 New International Version Made Alive in Christ 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
What I love about God’s people is we are called! We have three points we will focus on for Black Hiostry Month. I am speaking humbly as a mama training up her children and what I do know is …
3 areas our leaders who left or leave a mark in our recent history are
1) mission
2) strength
3) hope
When one (only takes one) chooses to do what is right, good, noble, worth of praise… it is a mission. It requires strength and it offers hope.
Prayer: Lord, today we as a nation say “forgive us, Lord” for only 61 years ago many in this here nation, America, believing that our brothers and sisters were less than because of their skin color. For those who believe and teach their families and friends this belief of being black is less than… we say, soften hearts, Lord.
I pray for my Black brothers and sisters and pray continue to grant your strength and peace. I ask that many will face the music, so to speak, and respond.
May we repent, reconnect and celebrate that Hallelujah: Ruby answered the call (and her family, too) knowing their very lives were ask risk for believing the essential truth: we are made in the image of God… black, white and all races… in Jesus name, Amen.
Abundant Mommyhood 