27 Feb History in the Making
As we approach the end of Black History Month, I want to take a moment to acknowledge all of the individuals who sacrificed for freedom and for equal rights. History is full of men and women, many names we know and others we do not, who fought on the front lines for justice. There are also multiple individuals who have made remarkable contributions to medicine, entertainment, innovation and business that still impact us to this day.
History was once the present. Some witnessed the Civil Rights Movement. Others witnessed the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Some saw first-hand the making of the first American female self-made millionaire, Madame C. J. Walker and others watched the swearing-in of the country’s first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall.
Everyday, whether we acknowledge it or not, we are witnesses to history in the making. Over the last year we have seen the protests in Ferguson and Baltimore. We have had a front row seat in front of our televisions witnessing the making of a black, female self-made billionaire, Oprah Winfrey. We proudly watched the swearing-in of America’s first black President, Barack Obama. These are the events that will be heralded as history. These are the stories that we will remember and what we will pass on for generations to come.
It is great to witness history but we also have the ability to create history. God has placed in each of us a deep passion for something; some greater purpose that we were designed to fulfill.
About a month ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a talk given by Bree Newsome. She is the woman who bravely scaled the flagpole to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state house grounds. During her talk it became evident that not only is she an inspirational woman of faith but that she is clear on her purpose and resolute in fulfilling the plans that God has for her. During her speech, she quoted several scriptures, but one stood out to me which was 2 Tim 1:7 which says “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear…”
Making history requires COURAGE. God did not give us the spirit of fear but He has given us the spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). As distinctive individuals we have the ability to be history in the making. Our names may not make the history books but our lives can have an impact for generations to come.
When your descendants look at your family tree will you be the branch that is still producing fruit long after you have gone or will you be a withered leaf that has fallen off the tree. What will your legacy be?
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