Black And Christian

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Ever since the social unrest and racial injustices erupted, I’ve been torn. Where does my allegiance lie? Do I have to choose between my blackness and my God? How can I reconcile being Black and Christian?

Black

Seeing my black brothers and sisters gunned down and murdered in the street grieves my heart. How is this still happening? And why does it seem to happen predominantly to us Black folk? What did we do to deserve this? What can we do to fight this? Something has to change. So,  I prayed to God about what I should do specifically as a Black and Christian woman. 

How can I improve our plight as Black people in America? I’ve called, emailed, protested, and donated, but there must be something else I can do. What is my specific assignment in all of this? How can I continue on as normal, as if this isn’t happening? Black people are facing discrimination and being mistreated simply because of the color of their skin.  A lot of this is being perpetrated by other Christians. These are people who claim to love God and HIs people, yet aren’t showing that Godly love toward their Black sisters and brothers.

Christian

So, how can I reconcile this? Jesus told us to forgive our trespassers. He commands that we turn the other cheek and pray for our enemies. The bible is clear on this. Yet, it’s hard to do. I’m not turning my back on God. God is rooted in me. So, now I have to reconcile forgiving the same people who continue to dismiss my blackness and treat me less than because of it. I am commanded by the God who saved me to forgive the very same people who stole my ancestors from their native land and forced them into chattel slavery. Those same people then terrorized and dehumanized my people for centuries. They have yet to apologize or even admit any wrongdoing and I’m supposed to forgive them.

Jesus, I need your help on this one. You showed so much compassion and love in Your short time on earth. You fed the hungry and broke bread with the oppressed. Give me Your heart on this matter. Help me to see them as You do. Allow me to show the same compassion, love, and grace that You extend to all who know You. Help me to do this even though it may not be reciprocated. Help me to choose You in every circumstance. 

Black and Christian

I can be both unapologetically Black and Christian. There is no choice. I am both at the same time. Both identities are so intertwined in me that there cannot be a separation. I am who God called me to be. I am a Black Christian woman. My hope is still in God. The blood still works. My skin is still black and I will continue fighting for the righteous causes of Black folk. I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord, here in the land of the living. During these trying times, I believe in a better future, even in the face of racial injustice. God is still working and sits high on the throne. Although this country hasn’t admitted to its crimes, I know that God hears the cries of His people.

So, as Black Christians let’s use the power and authority given to us by God to help heal the land. We are a unique, gifted, and talented people. Let’s use our voices to continue to fight against discrimination and racism. There is still a fight going on and we must be ready to do our part. My part is to forgive as God commanded so that I will no longer harbor any bitterness and anger. It’s time to overcome the hatred with the greatest love the world has ever known. There is no control over whether the other side will reciprocate that love. All I know is we’re going to get through this being Black and Christian. 

Hope

Things are getting better incrementally. I suppose I want God to come down and make everything better now. The Hebrews were in bondage in Egypt for 430 years and were delivered only to wander in the desert for 40 years and still had to fight to get into the promised land and fight once they got there. So, it will be a process, and even if I don’t live to see the total liberation and deliverance of my black people I know that God is faithful and it’s coming. So, I rejoice to know that adversity will produce character, faith, and hope.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9: We are hard-pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 

Thanks for joining me on my journey through singleness,

Kim

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