You (Yes You) Are the Hope of the World

This month (obviously) I've been exploring some thoughts on the origins of the negro spiritual.  I think we're pretty familiar with the general legends surrounding them...songs derived from insane plantation work and worship sessions that were limited by ownership; performed to lighten the psychological load of slave labor and abuse, as well as to communicate.  Now depending on what Christian denomination a person is affiliated with, he or she might hear these classic cuts every Sunday now--especially in the traditional Baptist church.  But when I process the words, the meanings, and the historical reference of the songs, I wonder what that says about the mental state of many of us (as related to our faith) who still sing them, and sing them passionately.


I feel like Acts 1:1-11 gives some insight to this.  Jesus, fresh out the tomb, was hanging out with the disciples for a few weeks and speaking to them about many Kingdom related subjects.  During that time he gave them a final command on what to do next: stay in Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit to come on them and then get going spreading the Good News of the Christ.  After the disciples asked Him some questions about their concerns with the immediate future, Jesus redirected the conversation to His previous instructions.  The Bible says that He was ascending to heaven while he was doing this, and then two men in white appeared saying, "men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven (Acts 1:11)?"

I pick out the part about the disciples complaining about their "struggles" (verse 6) instead of realizing they had already been freed.  Additionally, they were soon to be equipped to do the greater works Jesus was talking about before His death and resurrection (John 14:12).  Because of this, there was no need to dwell in the mental shackles that slavery brought, because they were unquestionably liberated.

Not at all knocking the negro spiritual, but just like the Confederacy...dead history has it's place.  Particularly if the root behind the art or heritage still exists, then it needs to be compartmentalized.  The thought in the last sentence should be seriously considered regarding ministry; because when we review the text we see that Jesus gave the command and was out, but reading further you see it was the disciples who did the work.  Therefore, although Christ did the much needed sacrifice of life, it is us who spread the hope of Him throughout the planet.  Also, it is us who position ourselves to do miracles, heal the sick, encourage and help the poor, lead people to be saved, and declare our own victory--through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I mean, never ever forget our pas.  But African-Americans in Christ...we are not there anymore.  If we think or even act like we are, we too are gazing up into heaven, waiting.

It's not a better time to stop relying on Jesus to do what He commanded and supplied you to do, mighty person of God...

Peace