-Strength for Today- "The Unifying Truth of Black History." - Colossians 3:11.

History gives us the ability to stop and remember significant past events that’ve shaped the world in which we live. So,?when we consider the structure of this nation,?we should acknowledge “the accomplishments,” and “influential experiences of all Americans.” I can’t say it enough that:?

• ?Black history isn’t merely the history of African Americans;??
• It’s our history as the American people, and how our history has impacted the lives of all Americans.?

That’s why when history is structured as a whole, we have?“a narrative richly woven with the theme of the gospel.” Likewise, when Black history is woven into the whole of interpreting justice:???

• It helps us to better understand God, and His comprehending plan for mankind, and?
• For the purpose of “seeing the perceptible evidence,”?of “His deliverance,” “love,” and “blessings.”?

????? Black history “offers stunning examples of what unity should look like,” by “serving as a present-day reminder of the unifying truth that Jesus spoke to both the Jews and Gentiles” - Colossians 3:11. In many ways, we can see Black history as a narrative story filled with “faith heroes” who “persevered for justice,” and “sometimes to the point of death.”?

The Bible contains countless historical narratives intended to remind us “of the trials,” and “the events that shaped our spiritual heritage.” Hundreds of verses in Scripture: ?

1. Addresses the idea of remembrance, by?
2. Encouraging us to reflect upon “past?victories,” and “present-day tragedies,” and ?
3. Recall the faithfulness of the God of our salvation. ?

In chapter 4:4-7 of Joshua, “God commands Joshua to set up 12 stones in remembrance of Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan River.” The stones “would stand as an everlasting memorial to communicate to future generations the provisions of the Lord.” They were the faithful witness of a faithful God “who understood the tendency?for humans to forget.” ?

Black History Month serves “us” and “those who come after us” “much like those memorial stones in Joshua chapter 4.” It helps us:?

• To?remember, ?
• To show honor, “as a memorial to God's justice,” and?
• Not to repeat the past, and?

? Inspire us to hope.?

Some of you might smirk at the reality of this truth. But we need to remember that the?next generation will see our “memorial stones," and:?

• What “will they opt to believe about their inheritance?” And ?
• What message of hope, is being prescribed when there’s no appreciation?shown toward our “culturally indifferent neighbor”??

In a nutshell, the good news of the gospel is the only hope to strive toward.?The gospel, “for the sake of divine justice and righteousness” must be?the core of our purpose, “both inside and outside of the church,” if we’re to “build a foundational legacy that’ll?support “cultural,” and “ethnical reconciliation,” and not “hide our history from the next generation,” by “standing in?the light of justice” so that the light of “righteousness is dimmed by?the shame of yesterday.”?

This is why the church should recognize that Black History “ought to be based?on obligation,” and “sincere love for humanity,” and “not a wedge of appeasement.”?As Christians, our love for each other should flow from “the love we’ve received from God in Christ.” In Him “we’re interconnected.” To ignore “segment of His body” is “to ignore the whole of who we are,” as “image bearing children of God!”?

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD