October - Black History Month

One day we will all look back at history; not just as a single race but of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue and see that our Creator had a plan all along. 

Black history month acknowledges that for Christians, God has always been the origin of hope, joy, and peace (Rom 15:13).

When it gets around to Black History Month each year, questions are often asked “why do we have to have Black History Month and shouldn’t we have White History Month, too?” These questions are usually followed up by a chuckle in an attempt to take the edge off of what has the potential of turning into an awkward conversation.

Questions like these provide an opportunity to place a subject front and centre that often only lurks in the shadows of Christendom. Black/white relations and racial reconciliation across any racial barrier needs to be a “front and centre” subject in light of the emphasis that God Himself places on His body, who are to be living, acting, moving, communing and serving in togetherness and unity in His Word.

What Does Unity Really Mean?

The best work is accomplished in the midst of unity.  In fact, so essential is the issue of togetherness in the Church that we are told to be on guard against those who try to destroy it (Romans 16:17).  When the Church functions as one, we boldly ‘brag’ on God to a world in desperate need of experiencing Him.

But how do we as a Church function as one?  We don’t. God does! Both in us and through us.  When we get saved, we come into the body of Christ. No matter our race, gender, or class.  When each of us come to faith in Jesus, we enter into a new family. We didn’t create God’s family. We became a part of it.

The reason we haven’t solved the racial divide in our world after hundreds of years of trying, is because people apart from God are trying to invent unity.  The Holy Spirit has created our unity. It is our job to preserve it.

Unity Through Working Together

The reality is that we still don’t get it about race.  A recent written quote states that “I know many of my white friends and colleagues, both past and present, have at times grown irritated by the Black community’s incessant blabbering about race and racism and racial reconciliation. They don’t understand what’s left for them to do or say. ‘We have people of colour on our staff.  We listen to broadcasts every day.  We even send our youth group into the city to do inner-city ministry.  Can we get on with it? Haven’t we done enough?"  To be fair, we have come a long way from overt displays of racial hatred and bias. However, tolerance is still a far cry from reconciliation. The mere fact that we remain separated most of the time, only coming together for an event or cross-cultural seminar, shows how far we need to go.

A Prayer of Empowerment

Grant us the silence of heart so that we can grow in your word.  As we go through worship today and culminate what we call "Black History Month", help us to never forget our history and instil in us the willingness to share our history with our youth and others throughout the year.