"The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense." ~Proverbs 10:21
" My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge." ~Hosea 4:6
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour
to his life?" ~Matthew 6:27
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God." ~Romans 13:1
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all
those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness."
~1 Timothy 2:1
Aaaahhh. The Election--or as some view it,
"The
End of America as We Know It",
"The Nail in America's Coffin",
"The
Inciter of God's Wrath",
"The End of the World".
Social
networking sites are revealing a total lack of faith and confidence in God (that, perhaps, was never really securely there in the first place).
He won.
Maybe the white children, and grandchildren, and
great grandchildren of the people whose faces will forever be etched in Civil
Rights Movement era newsreels, are tired of hating for no reason.
Clearly,
people of color weren't the only ones casting votes for him. Oh, the tricks,
and plots, and ploys that abounded, to insure that the Obamas would be spending
this week packing their bags and their little dog, too!
The schemes, secret
technology, attack ads, and attempts to change voting procedures and
requirements failed.
Many need to know that their enemy will win every
time they lose patience with God, mistrust how He handles their perceived
enemy, abandon God's way, take matters into their own hands, and then try to
sneak God back into the very equation from which He was evicted.
Perhaps many should shut up, stop whining, stop
bashing, honestly examine themselves, and exercise a confidence that God is
still in control and doesn't need any help--especially the underhanded,
paranoid, dishonest, anxiety-ridden variety.
When did people forget that God sees and knows
all--even heart contents? When He says "pray" for those in authority
he means PRAY, not roast, or scheme. Praying amiss is a dangerous thing to do.
It has boomerang-like consequences. Using the Word of God like a voodoo doll is
a candidate for the No-No file, too. It will get you a truckload of just what
you don't want. God is not stupid, and has a way of reminding us all why He's
God, and we're not.
People have gone numb; they're puzzled; just saying
stupid, "woe-is-me" kinds of stuff, as if God is gone. A Black
President in America? Horrors! Wait, an African-American president whose father
was actually born in Africa and whose mother is White? Double horrors! Wasn't
there a time when it was socially acceptable, and legal, for his father to have
been hunted like a dog and hanged from the nearest tree just for looking at his
mother? Wasn't there a time when she could have cried "rape" and been
believed, or been shunned by her own family and friends, and branded a
"nigger lover"? How could America let this happen? How could a place
that used to enslave Black people, deem them animals, inhuman, ignorant,
shiftless, unteachable, unproductive, dirty, disease-ridden let this
happen--twice? How could the land of opportunity let this happen?
President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage
was the move that was supposed to seal his defeat. Suddenly, he was the amoral
scum of the earth. But wait. He's not in a same sex marriage, is he? And how
many people, who are criticizing him, are guilty of not being able to succeed
in the opposite sex marriage in which they find themselves? How many have been
married multiple times? How many have been in scores of relationships, have
hurting, bitter, confused, needy or rebellious kids all over the place, but
aren't married at all? How many have conveniently forgotten that ALL
unrighteousness is sin, and if one were to take a peek into some closets, there
would be skeletons with meat still hanging onto their bones? People can do
whatever they want in a free society can't they? That's the nature of free-will
isn't it?
It's the consequences of our actions and choices,
however, that we fail to keep in mind, but can we, even on our most well
meaning day, really tell others how to live and what to do? Can morality be
legislated? Even God knows that everyone is not going to follow His Word; even
He says choose. Even He doesn't impose His will upon humanity. He's not going
to change with the times and people can either follow His commandments or go
their own way, but have we so sullied God's reputation and misrepresented Him,
that some people don't want any parts of Him, and will never come to know His
saving grace and love? I know. More questions. Sigh.
Many say they love the Lord, but are currently
deeply despondent over the election results. Have they forgotten that there is
nothing new under the Sun? Do they think God is taking a nap? Their savior
didn't win, but they're criticizing folk for admiring President Obama, and
trying to take people on a spiritual guilt trip. The only people I have heard
making comparisons to Obama and Jesus are the people who didn't vote for Obama.
How can anyone talk about the American Dream and
fail to see that if ANYBODY embodies it, it's President Obama? Why are so many
appalled by the manifestation of what the American Dream is supposedly all
about? Was this dream not supposed to come true? Hatred and fear of people of
other races has exploded to the surface again, but it's never been that deep so
it didn't have far to go. Many don't even know how to hide it. Those ignorant
heart contents will always find their way on the tip of the tongue and come
shooting thoughtlessly out of tactless mouths. People thought God was going to
avenge them and endorse their backward thinking and lack of compassion. Let's
use God! Let's blame our rhetoric on Him! If we say that God is leading us,
people will blindly go along with anything we say, right? People didn't fall
for the tricks, and neither did God.
Barack Obama was re-elected and no amount of
deception, money, or perceived power could stop it. If social networking is any
indication, many have lost their joy. What they feel they've also lost is
control. Their values and way of life are somehow in jeopardy. Why? If one was
a good, God-fearing, law abiding citizen before the election, is that suddenly
no longer an option? What is this "taking over" nonsense? It merely
implies that many perceived themselves to be superior, and more American than
others. WHEN will people remember that everyone in America except its
indigenous people, are descendants of immigrants, while enslaved Africans, on
the other hand, were brought against their will as cargo and destined to be
free labor?
The trust of many was apparently never in God at all
and the election results in 2008 and last Tuesday proved it. It was in their
own misguided, overinflated view of themselves. It was in the ability of a few
to make sure, through any means, that their own standard of living never
change. While they were busy being superior, entitled and hijacking God, others
were mobilizing.
So many pre-election prophecies have failed
miserably. Deceptive words have drawn nothing but ridicule. Lies have been
exposed. Liars are dumbfounded. Schemers are tripping over themselves because
their plans fell flat. Even many who carry Bibles have made laughingstocks of
themselves. Now they're mad at God and don't know how to deal with the futility
of that, other than to pout like Jonah, backpedal, take their toys away, and
declare that ALL is lost in their once pristine worlds. Some have responded by
cooking up new schemes, the results of which they plan to blame on the
President, and hope the next election will return their America to her former
oppressive self, where Black men were always expected to fail and never lead.
I read of one employer who, in retaliation of the
election results, fired people; took their jobs away; left them wondering how
to take care of their families. What does that make that employer?
"Immature", "petty", and "small" are adjectives
that come to mind. Perhaps, the campaign contributions given, to make sure the
Black president failed, would have enabled that employer to hold on to his
employees. Talk about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face!
Some are deathly afraid of the possibility of
becoming The Oppressed after enjoying a long run of being The Oppressor. One
voter uttered that she was afraid "the Blacks would take over". Some
Black Republicans are examining what their token status/opportunity really
meant. In an attempt to assimilate, they've learned that, in some circles, no
matter what educational, professional, or social heights one achieves, they're
just window dressing. If Barack Obama gets constantly demonized with all of his
credentials, what makes anyone think they're going to get a pass into the good
ol' boys club, except to brown up the Kodak moments?
Some are so accustomed to believing they are
self-made, and superior to others, that even the possibility of a poor person
receiving health care angers them. Some are mad at God and ravenously seek out
scripture to curse their foes, but get madder when the Word shines a spotlight
on their own unrighteousness and filthiness, and reveals that theirs is equally
as stinky and unacceptable to God.
The President's victory on Election Day has
translated, for some, into a problem that even God can't handle, so they
threaten to pack up and move to another part of God's world-- as if He isn't
there, too, fully expecting them to love and forgive. According to some,
America's vote has hellish implications. People wanted to "go back",
"take back", "look back", "reach back",
"wind back", and "hearken back". The problem with
"back" is that it involved intense suffering for many who have no
intentions of returning to the days when their very humanity meant little or
nothing. When God has delivered, revived, blessed, redeemed, saved, elevated
and freed, who wants to go back, except a fool? Who wouldn't choose the lesser
of two evils if it means not returning to a life of unfairness, injustice, lack
of opportunity, inferiority, division, and fear? But wait, is the Black
community busy sending itself back each time the oppressors are envied and
their ways adopted?
Maybe God knew just how some folk were going to
behave toward their fellow man if things had gone the other way on Tuesday
night. Maybe the re-election of Barack Obama has actually kept some people out
of Hell, and they don't know that they should be dancing a jig, right now, in
celebration of a God who knows the future. God is probably tired of being
represented by merciless, crazed, fear/warmongers who use His word to beat up
and scare away the very sheep He commanded them to feed. The worst thing to
hear from someone you consider a friend; someone on whose behalf you have
worked is "I never knew you." Folk have got to know--they've GOT to
know whether the God of the Bible endorses their words and actions or not. Do
people just not care to find out? Are they that caught up in themselves? Is
their own kool-aid THAT good? Are their Bibles missing some pages? One can't be
so consumed in ridding the world of what God hates, that one fails to see one
own need for redemption and spends one's every waking moment trampling over
those He so loves. Delusion is a terrible thing.
Maybe God has an amazing sense of humor. What He has
done, and can still do is change hearts, change minds, and heal, and draw
souls. Maybe some people need to let Him-- starting with themselves. Sad part
is, people who don't think they need help are the last ones to ask for it.
Heart transplants are, after all, emergency situations often required after
years of abuse and misuse.
A hate-filled heart is worse than cancer.
A disappointed friend couldn't understand why his
Christian friends voted for President Obama.
He wanted to know what he was missing. Perhaps the better question, that
would help him figure out whether he's missing anything or not, is "Why
didn't I vote for him?" Perhaps he's not missing anything at all. He
simply exercised his right to choose a candidate the same way others did.
Many in America just can't imagine a Black man and
his family in the White House doing anything other than cleaning it, repairing
something, cooking, gardening, or singing, dancing, or playing an instrument. A
Black President offends their sensibilities. It doesn't seem normal for
President Obama to lead the nation. Are Black men are better appreciated when
they're being hauled off to prison? Hustling on a street corner? Participating
in drive-by shootings? Populating the world without the courtesy of their
presence in their children's homes? Is President Obama messing up the
narrative?
America has a bigoted, criminal, abominable,
murderous past of making sure-- institutionally, religiously, and
legislatively--that the election of a person of color would never happen. The
Republican party didn't even like their own candidate. Look at the Republican
debates...
Many have spent so long considering people of color as inferior to
them, that the thought of an African man holding the highest office in the land, is sending some into a tizzy, that makes them say rather sad things, and act as
if all hope is lost. They're angry and appalled, and proving they have no faith
or confidence in God at all. They're acting as if He is powerless. It shows
where their trust was placed.
It's not their fault that they were taught to
hate and demean people of color. It IS their fault if they continue to do so.
Maybe Christians voted for Barack Obama simply
because they are Christians. Could it be that Christians tend to be discerning,
kind, forgiving, loving, merciful, patient, long suffering and hopeful? Could
it be that Christians know it takes time to clean up a mess you didn't
make--especially when you have been warned ( by people who demonize you, hate
you, and make your failure their number one priority) that help and cooperation
would be withheld? Could it be that Christians consider the Bible the
infallible word of God and don't endorse adding to it, or embellishing it with
other texts? Could it be that Christians are leery of cults, false prophets,
polygamy, greed, and those who shun the poor, sick, and needy? Could it be that
Christians don't like bigotry, hatred, fear, and oppression? Could it be that
Christians know that God is never asleep, is still in control (no matter who
resides in the White House), and that HE is the architect of promotion? Could
it be that Christians know that God has the capacity to change hearts and
minds, and even take pity on and help our enemies should we get too big for our
britches and not mind what we say and do? Could it be that "going
back" is not one of a Christian's favorite things to do? Could it be that
Christians know there is none righteous, not one, and that JESUS is the hope of
the Earth-- not America? Could it be that Christians know when people are using
God for their selfish, underhanded, manipulative purposes and not for His
glory? Could it be that Christians were inspired--even told--to vote? I mean,
God HAS been known to instruct people to do some pretty interesting things that
would SEEM immoral, thoughtless, zip-danged crazy, and irresponsible.
Just ask Abraham, Noah, Hosea and Jesus, and when
you finish perusing their stories, pray.
This is a moment of pride, once again. It is a
moment to also see ourselves; examine what we celebrate, consider our way of
thinking, and reexamine the excuses we've made. We have to be willing to call
spades, spades; address our own ills; stop calling what's bad "good",
and stop calling what's good "bad"...It's time to own our own stuff;
tell the truth about our own stuff, and be bold about it. It's time to pay
attention to our children, our neighborhoods, our families. There is a new standard
to witness. It's not that we haven't seen it before, but never from the Oval
Office.
President Obama isn't Super Black Man. What he is doing, the example he
is setting could be set by other men as well, if it was in their hearts to do
so. If nothing else, what's to despise and not to admire about a man who takes
care of his family? Have we forgotten how to find the good? Would it kill
people to embrace it? Do we prefer to celebrate, award and promote what tears
us apart? We have to see the big picture.
The words of poet, rapper, Loaded Lux seem strangely
fitting:
"...Though I never met your father,
I see a lot of his ways in your stride.
I mean, you got that "talk it like I walk
it" kinda attitude.
You know, it's real good that he gave you pride.
Every son should be proud of his father,
And I look at my little one,
And I want the same for mine,
That's why when I look up at you
I see what he can go through
When a father don't take the time.
I see what he can go through
When a father don't take his time.
You know, I think it's real f'ed up
When people's gave him all that time,
But you wanna know what's even more f'ed up?
It's that all them years he got away from you
Has only been a way for you
To be more together with him
In a cage
In five.
Yeah. That's why I'm Angry Guy.
Cause he didn't take the steps,
Now you chase his rep,
But his runnin' shoes ain't your size!
They say don't whine over spilt milk,
But what a man 'posed to do when his baby's crying?
Oh, he say sh't like, "You know, It cost to be
the boss"
But he too good for a paying job?
What's was wrong with being a cable guy;
A real estate agent?
Why was that nigga too cool
To go to flight school
And learn how to fly planes through the friendly
skies?
But nah. He told YOU
He had to do what he had to do
To put food on ya'll plate.
To die.
You mean to tell me all that slanging and bangin'
Was to give ya'll greater lives,
When God gave him drive?
And that big meech-back-up-singin'-ass-nigga
Left your Moms out here alone for the latest ride?
That don't plague your mind?
That don't plague your mind?
Them mistakes ain't guides!
And you wonder why them shotgun-suge-shells
Still ache your spine?
Look what Ray-Ray got Little Jimmy out here in New
York doin'!
Tell your OG, Bobby Johnson
You just tried to steal the wrong radio this time!
Something to think about
The next time you on stage waving signs
Trying to be like the only daddy you got
I understand you wanna keep his name alive
But, Youngin', I'm trying to save you from your
demise
You said it yourself, "My pops was a Real
Nigga"
Youngin' that ain't no lie
He was in the business that The System perpetuates
on the side
To keep us in the condition where we ain't made to
survive
But you think he a god!
Well let me ask you this:
Would you kill the world to save yourself?
Yeah. I ain't think that was wise
Something to think about the next time ya'll
thuggin',
Drinkin' and druggin'
Hard liquor
Ya'll full of killaz--remember
I'm trying to give you the large picture!
Your pops wasn't no gangsta!
He was just another Lost Nigga!
You think it's gangsta
To let a mother love that dope more than her
daughter;
Shoot a father 'front his son;
And turn around and put that boy on a corner?
Or leave your son out here alone
To fend for himself,
Knowing he need order?
Is your money being long
Worth your lifespan being shorter, huh?
But I'm just trying to give you the large picture!
Your pops wasn't no gangsta!
He was just another Lost Nigga!
Gangsta's, brothers like Marcus Garvey
For when he performed lectures
Raised a man's consciousness up from doing wrong
To putting us in uniforms
Making us soldiers in God's Army
(All the Garvey-ites)
Nat Turner:
When The Man had us on the back burner
Facts further stated
He led one of the greatest revolutions to free the
slaves ever heard of
But then he got murdered
You know what. Harriet Tubman was more of a man
Than your father would ever be
I mean your daddy, your daddy--
That father title you deployed?
You know, a wise man told me that a wise man
understands
In this life, you gon' either build, or destroy
And since it takes a father to raise a man-child,
well
It's no wonder you talk all that young sh't
You a little boy
That don't get the large picture!
Your father wasn't no gangsta!
He was just another Lost Nigga!"
Our images matter.
Our heroes matter.
Our rhetoric
and behavior can't testify that we, too, are lost.
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