Sons and Daughters through Faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-29

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Quickword: Sons and Daughters through Faith in Christ Jesus.

This past Sunday as a sports fan we witnessed a great Super Bowl between Kansas City and San Francisco. Some watched for the halftime show headlined by Usher. Words of adoration have been showered upon Reba McEntire’s signing of the National Anthem and Post Malone’s singing America the Beautiful. Yet today I learned that many were disturbed and upset by Andra Day’s singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing also known as the Black National Anthem. There are some who believe that the singing Lift Every Voice and Sing somehow takes away from the star spangled banner. I want to suggest on the contrary, as a young black child growing up in predominantly black neighborhoods, schools and churches in southern America this anthem is as much a part of my history as the national Anthem.

This song celebrates the best of America. It honors a people (my people) who were taken from distance shores, who came through the middle passage, who survived slavery, segregation ,Jim Crow, second class housing and education, low paying jobs, and lychings. This anthem celebrates our rising to become leaders in the most diverse nation in the world. Out of these circumstances , Doctors, lawyers, College professors , Educators and Engineers, Presidents , Supreme Court Justices, Members of Congress, Military leaders and much more have come. Out of these circumstances Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) have been established producing the best and brightest among us.

When we sing this anthem , we are lifted and reminded of the Native Land from whence many of us have descended from the continent of Africa. When persons who are American Citizens from Great Britain sing God save the Queen there is no outrage, when Italian Americans lift up Fratellind’ Italia, there is no criticism from media outlets and talking heads. When Irish Americans embrace and lift up The Soldiers Song of Scottish Americans sing the Flow of Scotland again there is no pushback but when Lift Every Voice and Sing is in the forefront it’s an affront to some. The America that I know and served in the armed forces rejoices in its diversity. Actually this grand experiment of America if you travel outside of this country is one of the qualities the world admires. Yet today, even those who profess to know Christ have traded in following Christ for following National Culture . This text in Galatians reminds us of the blessings of unity:

- We are the Son and Daughters of God through Christ Jesus .

- We are neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus

- We are all the seeds of Abraham and heirs to the promises of God

Instead of being divided , let’s embrace one another in the name of Jesus. Lift Every Voice and Sign celebrates what we have become and are becoming. Fifty six percent of players in the NFL are black, the most watch halftime show was headlined by people of color and celebrated around the world. Yes, I am WOKE! I’m woke to point that I know instead of attacking others whose story you don’t know, it better investing time to know why we sing this anthem. I am woke because I know the God whom I serve is not concerned about a national anthem but He is concerned whether or not we love one another regardless of our skin color, gender , religion , ethnicity , or orientation. We are one in Christ if you believe and can confess with your mouth that Jesus lived, died and rose again for our sins. I challenge each of us to get outside of our comfort zones, engage with someone whom you have never engaged with before ; I’m

assured you will find out that we have much more in common than we differ. Beloved it, my belief is that either we will all prosper together or we will perish separated. I close with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear.