My life is relatively similar to the lives on many African-American men in the United States. It is a life filled with highs and lows, of triumphs and tribulations. I, like many of my brothers of different mothers, have to overcome the stereotypes established by society. The life I live is one where I have to pledge my spirit, mind, body, and soul to something or someone in order to gain acceptance. Then repeat the process. I want to live up to that expectation-to be a blessing and a witness.
Is there anything wrong with that? Not at all, if one possesses the perspective of acceptance for what is righteous. For me, righteousness of my life is defined as conforming to God’s will. There are many scriptures which speak to this. The one that I use to illustrate is from Ephesians 4:20-24: “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” The opportunity exists in the daily lives of men for that which is so freely given in Christ to manifest itself in word, deed, and history.
There is for me a process that life uses to develop people. I choose to view it in context of the experiences that I have had thus far. The labels are situation, struggle, crisis, and attainment. Constantly repeating these allows one to grow in life and strengthen resolve. In some instances, the movement from one into the next phase is marked by a memorable event; in most, it is not apparent until the history is reflected upon. At any time in my story, I feel that I am in one or more than one of these areas.
I shared a goal with a friend to be a United States Congressman. Usually, the situations present themselves as natural goals that are manifested in the Spirit. When I am in my prayer place, I ask how to be a blessing to others. Being a person that helps the people protect and govern themselves is one manner in which to do this. At the time, I had only a prayer and an idea. There are things I need to put in place to frame this situation.
Then the struggle ensues. The true struggle is mostly internal. It has nothing to do with the goal but with the mindset that the goal produces. It is not the natural opponent of the race but the forces of doubt, despair, and dread that the natural weight of this goal produces. It is not the fundraising, campaigning, or the platform. It is, for me, to truly believe that “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned… “(Isaiah 43:2). The struggle is of confidence in nature. The one thing that always has and will amaze me about God is that He dreams it larger than life can envision it. The crisis and attainment will pass. Probably, they will not be noticed until I reflect.
Although this is a vision God has for me, it is similar to members of my congregation. They have dreams and desires that are God sent. Being a blessing and a witness to them is my way of conforming to God’s will. Being the example of overcoming struggle and keeping strong in faith is what I pray will take me to the place that God desires me to be. The experience of it all will prove to be the best teacher. To be able to approach the difficult subjects of life and know that He is the Hand that guides is well worth the pain of the process.