It’s still Black History Month, right?
Ok…just checking.
Black History Month is one of my favorite months of the year. Growing up, we would always do the wax museum in school and learn about heroes like Garrett A. Morgan, Madam C.J. Walker, W.E.B. Dubois, and so many others. Movies like Our Friend Martin had me thinking I could time travel. We participated in Black History plays surrounding Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Little Rock Nine and other pivotal moments. We memorized portions of Dr. King’s speech and poems by Langston Hughes. We learned Negro Spirituals in choir and the significance of the Underground Railroad. We typically started with slavery and worked our way through the civil war to Jim Crow to present day.
I knew from an early age that this was information that I would never be taught from the regular school curriculum. In a lot of school scenarios, my friends and I would be the ones teaching the class. Some never heard of the “Negro National Anthem.” We sang all three verses everyday…EVERYDAY! Some never heard of the bravery of Harriet Tubman. Some were shocked of the racial injustices that still happen today. All in all, my parents always taught me that you can’t know where you’re going until you understand where you come from.
Where do I come from?
I always started black history/my history with slavery. Tracing my roots back to a time where blacks were considered 3/5 human. When others thought that my ancestors were only good for labor and amusement. My own perception of my roots was enslaved to this idea that my people only evolved from the cotton fields. Discovering the true ancestry gave me the power to be bold, confident…unapologetically black. The truth about my heritage affected my present and my future. Knowing that I am a descendant of intelligent and creative people helped me unleash the royalty within.
In a similar way, I have had a spiritual revelation on where my power resides. I could dwell on the fact that I was born into sin. Often times choose the flesh over righteousness. Repent to sin again. Abuse grace. Deny Christ with my actions. And succumb to the notion that I am nothing but a product of slavery and will never amount to anything. However, dwelling on these things do not empower me to run this race. They are great reminders of God’s grace, but I have the strength to carry out the tasks that God commands because of the power He has given me.
Often times, these are the lies that we tell ourselves.
I can never share the Gospel. But I will because I have the power.
I can never disciple another. But I will because I have the power.
I can never intercede for others. But I will because I have the power.
I can never walk in righteous. But I will because I have the power.
My story didn’t start with spiritual slavery, and praise be to God, it will not end with chains. I have the power to carry out the commands of Christ because I am a descendant of the Most High. I am made in His image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a daughter of the King. I am a Child of God.
God constantly reminds me of the these truths. It is the very foundation for my identity in Him. Because my identity stands firm, I have the power to stand tall.
Do you have the power?
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