It brings me great joy to know that the God of this universe is reaching out to men and women across the globe with different skin colours, accents, hair types and dialects. And those people include people who look like me:coca colored skin with tightly coiled hair. Although human beings have historically not always valued our worth the God of this universe does and sent His son to die for our individual sins and sins as a people. Moreover, I've often intrigued when reading the Bible about God's relationship with the Jews in the old testament. Not because I think Africans or black people are better or more deserving but have always wondered why He chose to have a covenant with them in the old testament. It has dawned on me that God in his infinite wisdom possibly chose a people who's history could be universally applied to every race of people before and after. It brings me great peace to know this: God doesn't sleep or slumber. He was there during the tragic and horrific years of chattel slavery on the North and South American continent. What the devil meant for evil God used and will continue to use it for good and the God who holds the universe in his hands still holds our community in his hands. In my grief about slavery and our historical oppression I overlooked the fact that the Gospel message still remains true. That " all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We've sinned and need to repent of our sins as a community. So in light of racial tensions I ask that we be still before our God, stop the finger pointing and intercede for our community. Here are some prayer points to begin: 1. Repent of our sins as a community (sexual sins, self-righteousness, finger pointing) 2. Intercede for the community that the Gospel will penetrate people's hearts 3. Wisely get involved in causes. 4.Repeat Nevertheless, I'm not ignorant to the injustices black people face today and am currently looking into claims of systematic racism. However, I agree with the famous quote " when you point one finger there are always 3 pointing right back at you". I'm sure you wept for Mike Brown when he was killed by white officer Daren Wilson but did you shed a tear for the black male who was killed at the hands of another black male due to gang violence. You probably dislike the negative imagery of black males but are you angered over the sub genre of rap which encourages destructive behaviors such as sexual promiscuity. I'm not ignorant. I don't think black people are more sinful or have more problems than other communities. I just believe that focusing on addressing problems that affect our "own backyard" is more effective and firmly believe when internal problems are addressed change will ripple outward. And so until the ink drips, Akua B
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Everyone deserves rights. Many of you probably agree with the above sentence and have heard the popular phrase "it's my God given right". The fight for equality is definitely on the forefront of our minds as we watch the emergence of activism groups like Black Lives Matter and witness 3rd wave feminism through our computer screens. Let's get one thing straight: history is a very cruel place- the humanity of different groups of people have been attacked. As a result, we tread carefully when addressing the concerns of people because we don't want to repeat the sins of previous generations. I think it's commendable that our society is making an effort to make sure all members of our society are treated well but I have a question. Why was the marginalization of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters throughout Canadian history wrong? Why does the denial of a women's personhood anger us so much? Where does the idea of rights even come from? It's actually a Biblical concept! In the first book and chapter of the Bible it is written "so God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them ( Genesis 1:27). And so you see, here is the basis for human dignity, worth and value. We are image bearers of God and reflect His likeness in ways animals and plants just don't. Our ability to give love regardless of how fractured and broken is a testament to the imperfect love of God. Our need to be loved and receive love back is a reflection of God's desire to be in fellowship with his creation and our sadness over the problems of the Earth is a tiny reflection to the grievances God feels over this world. My life as a black woman is important because I'm an image bearer of God and that means I'm loved, wanted, valued and matter. |
AuthorMy name is Akua B and I'm a lover of all things Africa, natural hair and poetry... Archives
March 2017
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