I’ve wanted to write about this topic for a while, but I couldn’t find the words to express my feelings. Then one morning as I drove to work, they rang out loudly from my Spotify playlist. It was a song by Aha Gazelle entitled “God Said Yes”. I listened to it so frequently that it made top five on my 2020 wrap up. The lyrics go as follows: “Had to show 'em I belong, had to show 'em they were wrong. Forget y'all's opinion, I'm worth a million, God said yes. God said yes.” As a young, black female, these words resonated with me. Now, I was starting to realize the reason. If you’re any of those three adjectives (or maybe some others), then you can identify with the vibe of the song as well.
The death of George Floyd and others put a spotlight on the treatment of black and brown people in our country. With the world watching, the Black Lives Matter movement started with protests filling the streets. Many people argued that the protests instigated violence or that all lives matter equally. In reality, people of color navigate intrinsic biases solely based on the color of their skin. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always felt like I had to prove myself. If there was a frown on my face, people might assume that I was angry. Most likely, I was simply deep in thought. Make-up or certain hair colors were seen as flirtatious or down for a good time. So, I constantly asked myself if I looked "professional" enough. Sometimes teachers spoke in condescending tones if I asked questions in class. As a result, I studied hard in order to prove I'd be a great medical provider. Honestly, there is not enough space on this page to detail all the times I was confronted with stereotypes. Though your experience maybe different, I’m sure that there are moments when you faced some sort of prejudice.
One thing is for sure; there is no partiality with God. An interesting story in the New Testament details one of the disciples and his religious prejudice. The Jews were God’s chosen people dating back to the days of Abraham. Various laws dictated what they could eat, who to associate with, and how to sacrifice in worship. When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for all to come to a relationship with God despite their nationality or background. Peter was trapped in the old religious mindset. God challenged him when He sent Peter to Cornelius' home. It was then that Peter witnessed God’s desire for all people to be restored unto Him. There was no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free. We are unified in Christ.
If someone looks down on you, don’t worry about it. You are accepted as a child of God. Despite all the hurdles, God can make a way for you. Those who judge you will be amazed at the favor of God on your life. His favor is not like that of the world. It’s not based on what you look like or how good you act. Your ethnicity or financial status doesn’t give you an advantage. You only need to trust in Jesus. When you accept Him, then you become part of a family like none other. It's inclusive of people from all walks of life. Let’s be real. If God says you are chosen, then everyone else’s opinion is irrelevant.
Be encouraged! 😊
Written by Christa Martina
FB page: See Martina Write
Scripture References: I Peter 2:9 (NLT) “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
Acts 10:34-35 (NLT) “Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”
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