.."Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last."
"For whom the Son sets Free is Free indeed".
Two quotes often heard independently, rarely juxtaposed, from two different times and two different sources. Yet, they both speak to one thing, Freedom. Today, on Juneteenth, many have celebrated, contemplated, and observed what it means to be Free. Some, however, still wonder if everyone is truly Free. And, with all that we have seen in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and as far back as we can remember or read, many wonder if true Freedom will ever come because for many there is the feeling that we're only "Free-ish".
Why? Well, on one hand Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words about being "Free at Last" from his "I Have A Dream Speech" often remembered from it's delivery during the March on Washington in 1963 echoes the hope, desire, and eventual realization of gaining more benefits of freedom for Black Americans. However, the shining light gained through the progress and triumph of the Civil Rights movement is often times dimmed as we witness the atrocities that so many Black Americans still endure. Beautiful children of God are ignored, overlooked, pandered to, used for laughs, ostracized for phenotypic differences, welcomed in churches, but rejected on street corners, beaten in broad daylight, and blamed for being... Black. Then, again, maybe the blame is only fear of seeing someone truly Free.
Still, the feeling that we are "Free-ish" could be attributed to feeling like a prisoner to sin. We constantly backslide, seek forgiveness, and then witness the pain, shame, and hurt that is caused by bias, ignorance, prejudice, racism, SIN time and time again. We struggle as we see the hate and lack of empathy and compassion that is held for a Brother or Sister by another brother or sister when we're all Supposed to be striving to Live and Love like Christ. We question the struggle when we realize you truly cannot "Love God who you have NOT seen , but HATE your brother who you have seen." And, maybe it's because we're not all seen as true Brothers and Sisters in Christ, fellow children adopted into God's family. Fellow Freedmen and Freed women. Why? Because if it's true that: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) then HOW do we continually find ourselves here? How do we continually find ourselves: Marching in the streets and Mourning in sanctuaries? Smiling on Sunday morning and Singling out for "routine checks" (profiling) on Saturday night? Offering shoulders to Lean on Verbally, but Turning them as we look away once we Hear the Truth from those in Front of us?
Today on Juneteenth as this day comes to an end may we ALL commit ourselves to doing two things. For my dearly beloved Black Brothers and Sisters let's continue to be (and strive for being) Free, not "Free-ish". Let's freely speak even if we're afraid. (For we weren't given a Spirit of fear to begin with.) Let's freely Love and Accept Genuine Love. Let's freely Stand, or Kneel, so that we can finally All see the day where what we've seen and experienced can truly be a memory and "Free-ish" becomes a thing of the Past.
For my White Brothers and Sisters and those who feel the need to critique the struggles of Black people or question the validity of historical days such as Juneteenth for their Black Brothers and Sisters commit to P.A.U.S.E.
Yes, PAUSE.
Ponder - your reason for questioning another's struggle. And, Pray- for Guidance. Accept - that just because we're different it doesn't mean we're unworthy of Love, being Listened to, or simply Living.
Unlearn - any bias, ignorance, prejudice, hate, and microaggressions you may have.
STOP and SURRENDER -to God, his Word, his Love, the true Redemption and Reconciliation that comes from being born again through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Evolve - from who you USED to be and what you USED to know and do so that you can TRULY treat your Black (Native American, Asian, Hispanic, etc) Brothers and Sisters as the Beautiful, Diverse, Intelligent Children of God that we Are! And,
Engage - those around you who have yet to see the Light and remove the log from their own eyes until they can see clearly too. (Of course, this means truly removing the logs from your own.)
Will the work be easy on either end whether you're Black or White? No, but it is worth it. We are burdened by the Sin of Racism and dark side of our humanity. Some have been bearing the weight for too long and others are just now seeing that the weight wasn't lifted in Jan 1863, in 1865, in 1963, in 2009. Instead, it was repackaged for some. As a nation, world, Body of Christ, we are Not OK. But may we not grow weary of doing good. May we commit to letting God lead us, dealing with our heart issues, and removing the systems, schools of thoughts, and barriers that have caused pain and setbacks.
As we commit to doing this work, may we: "Let Freedom Ring". For who? For our Brothers and Sisters. Black, Native American, Asian, Multiethnic (for we are all Human), immigrant, educated, and those deemed less 'socially refined' by unfair standards when they're just as Precious in God's sight as we are.
While we work let us pray.
For some: "Lord, Open my eyes to the hurt and pain of those around me. Open my ears so that I may hear you, clearly. Correct me and Forgive me of my wrongs. Use me to Help heal and Uplift the men and women who have been hurt by either my ignorance or by the intentional actions of others. Help me to do the work I was born to do, Lord, to truly be your Vessel."
For others: "Lord, Heal my heart. Open the eyes of those who see my skin and think I am less than when I know YOU SEE ME and I AM Loved. Open their ears so that they may hear. Lord, I am angry, I am tired. Please Give me the peace and Joy that Only comes from you. Change the hearts of those who persecute and ridicule us. Give me, all of us, the Strength to continue on."
Amen and Amen.
Let's commit to change. Why? Because.
We can do this. We shall Overcome
Happy Juneteenth.
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