WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OVERCOME - 5/8/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"My story is a freedom song of struggle. It is about finding one's purpose, how to overcome fear and to stand up for causes bigger than one's self." - Coretta Scott King  

 

This week I had the honor of visiting the Smithsonian's National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The building has seven floors dedicated to the contributions of African-Americans to our society. As I perused exhibits on our achievements and struggles in education, science and technology, the arts and entertainment, athletics, politics and government, the military, community activism, etc., tears welled up in my eyes at the collective strength and resilience Black people have shown over the centuries in the United States. Against all the odds, the forces of racism, sexism, and classism...we're moving from being owned to owning our own lives and experiences, and leaving a legacy in this Country. The freedom fighters in the Civil Rights Movement sang, "We Shall Overcome, Someday." The song tugs at me because as long as we have to keep singing it, someday will never be today. The Bible refers to today as the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2), if our hearts are not hardened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love for ALL. To OVERCOME means to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty; to defeat an opponent; or to prevail. I have so much respect for those who have borne stripes, felt heartache, and faced domestic terrorism in order for me to enjoy the freedoms the Founding Fathers proclaimed in their documents were for everyone. Their prophetic statements are not fully realized, by faith they will be. 

It's been less than 60 years since images of children and the elderly being dragged, hosed down by fire departments, and accosted by police and their dogs were seen across the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s strategic philosophy of non-violent resistance reflects Paul's instruction to the Christians in Rome who also suffered at a cruel government's hands, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." 20On the contrary,"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:14-21)