DO YOU LOVE BEING BLACK?

By Jerisha Wilson

Recently I have been reflecting and thinking about my identity as a black woman. I don't know about you, I was proud to be black growing up, but at the same time, I wished I had the privileges and lifestyle of my white counterparts. Life seemed much easier, more fun, and a little lighter on the side of the grass. Of course, as I have matured, I understand why it felt that way. However in my 30s, after doing a great bit of healing and evolving in who I am in Christ, I have begun to see my blackness through a renewed lens. It's amazing how seeing yourself rightly in Christ will inform you of who you are in this world more clearly. As a black citizen in America, I hope this encourages you to appreciate who you are in these American streets and how our very essence speaks to his power.

Within this last year, being away from home and everyone has taught me how to appreciate who you have and create unique ways to feel at home. Home for me is a small gathering. Eating soul food and dancing around the kitchen. It feels like home when I hear soul and grit in an artist's voice. It brings a sense of comfort and healing that resonates with me as a black woman. This craving for home led me to connect with God more deeply and truly appreciate my culture.

I see much more how God has uniquely made our black race and uses us for his glory. We have so much history in America alone, and we are a huge part of the reason this country has thrived and become what it is on Earth. We often only learn about the gruesome things that have happened to our race in this country, and even that part of our story is trying to be eliminated. However, we have paved the way in economics, agriculture, fashion, music, and so much more. The way the Holy Spirit expresses himself through black people and empowers us to push others is special. And included in that is the fact that God wants us to experience an abundant life and justice in this country more than we do. He is committed to that process. We can trust and believe Him when he says vengeance is mine, even if we don't feel like it is happening. He requires our boldness and obedience to partner with him in these things so we can see the manifestation of his power. Through my injustices, I have learned that God does not play about us!

The most powerful quality I have recognized is the ability to create things from our hardships in this country. Seeing the results of living through our experiences and bouncing back better in America has helped reveal the resilience ingrained in our DNA to me in a fresh way. I see it as us being born in the valley of the shadow of death. And because of this adversity, individually and as a race, we always rise above the occasion and create new ways of living.

So here's to being black in America. Let's celebrate the skin we are in and how God made a masterpiece. It doesn't have to be black history month to reflect on the blessing of being black!

Make sure to check out How to Cope: Living As a Black Man In America on November 19,2024 at 8pm EST hosted by Coach Jerisha. Register here