“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep…” Acts 13:36

The month of February has been designated as Black History Month, the month to commemorate blacks who have made a significant and remarkable impact on our society. We are celebrating them for their efforts toward improving and expanding in the arenas of science, history, government, politics, education, religion, and the arts. God has endowed our black and brown sisters and brothers with great intelligence and creativity. Many of us are using our gifts, talents, and skills to change this world’s trajectory.

Remembering or commemorating is a God-idea. During creation, at the end of each day’s work, God would look back over His work and applaud His accomplishments. God wasn’t shy about reminding His people that He is the Creator of all things. Throughout the Scriptures, He commanded men such as Moses and Joshua to built memorials so that the generations to follow would know Him in the fullness of His power.

One notable time was in Joshua 4 when the children of Israel were crossing the Jordan River; God directed the 12 tribal leaders to carry a stone over on their shoulders (symbolic of God’s ability to part rushing waters) to the other side. They were to leave them at the river bank to be a memorial for the generations to come. God does have bragging rights, and He doesn’t mind boasting in Himself. God’s purpose for flexing His muscles was to draw generations unto Him as the Supreme Being of the Universe.

Proverbs 27:2 (TPT) states, “Let someone else honor you for your accomplishments, for self-praise is never appropriate.” Since we are mere mortals, and everything we are or have achieved comes from God, we shouldn’t lift ourselves, but someone else can, and may I add, should. Romans 13:7 (NRSV) puts it this way, “Pay to all what is due them…respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.”

Black History is designed to give honor to whom honor is due. This month we hail some of the greats of the past, Martin Luther King, Jr., Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Joe Louis, Dr. Maya Angelou, John Lewis, Madam C J Walker, Richard Allen, Marian Anderson, James Baldwin, Jackie Robinson, and many others. They have left us strong shoulders to stand on. 

Vice President Kamala Harris, Amanda Gorman, Stacey Abrams, Victor Glover, Rev. Raphael Warnock, Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Cori Bush, Noah Harris, Jason Wright, Dana Canedy, Cynthia Marshall, and Nicholas Johnson are among the numerous present-day black leaders who are rewriting history and breaking glass ceilings. They are inspiring and encouraging us to be the best version of ourselves.

How are you using your gifts, talents, and skills? What are you contributing to society? Will anyone remember you when you leave the earth? God gave us intelligence and gifts not to bury in the sand but to activate for the good of humankind. While we recall our greats’ contributions, let’s remember we have a responsibility to leave this world better than the one we found.

Declare,

Lord, I am a legacy maker. I will not waste the resources You invested in me. 

Posted by on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 @ 10:30AM
Categories: Empowering, Encouragement, Inspirational
Tags: Amanda Gorman, BlackHistory, Commemorate, Generations, glass ceiling, History Makers, Kamala Harris