Monday, November 10, 2008

Building Bridges

Galatians 3:28
(New International Version)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008. I witnessed something that I thought would never happen. Senator Barack Obama, an African American, was elected president of the United States of America.

Millions of Americans voted without regard to race.

This presidential campaign was historical for several other reasons also. Senator Clinton and Governor Palin also opened the doors for females. Millions of voters showed that gender does not have to be a factor. Governor Richardson reminded us that American is not just black and white. The election was historical because of the record number of people who registered and voted. There were more voters, more younger voters, and more diverse voters in this election.

Across America, we saw people coming together without regard to gender, age or race. As I watched this take place I wonder where does my home state of Mississippi stand.

Many claim that we are a state weighed down by the past. They say that we are not able to look beyond color. Sadly enough, this was only reinforced when after the election of Senator Obama students in Pearl, Mississippi, were told they could not say his name. When students are punished for saying the name of the president elect of the United States of America, what does that say about us as a state?

I pray that we do not allow our great state to be defined by the misguided action of a few. I call upon the the body of Christ which resides in the “Great State of Mississippi” to stand together as black, white, red, yellow and brown, showing the world that we are not defined by race but by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have an opportunity to show that love is greater than hate and Jesus is bigger than racism.

Lighter Partners is one way you and your church can make a difference. If you are not a Light Partner, today is a great day to start.

Time will not change things, it is Christ filled people who in time bring about change.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"Millions of Americans voted without regard to race."

Is the inference that those who voted "the other way" voted as they did because of race? If so, same on you. Race had nothing to do with my vote, who I felt was best for this country did.