Juneteenth is a day of celebration marking the news of Emancipation Day in Texas on June 19th in the year 1865. The Civil War was over and freedom for enslaved people was declared from sea to shining sea. It was one hundred years before I was born, I cannot imagine the sense of awe, disbelief, and excitement.
So much blood was shed. It was a long and bloody war. Restoring unity to a broken country would be a long road. From slavery to business owners, political leaders, and entrepreneurs would be a long road, too.
This image is from Pinterest. I love the pictures and writings of Morgan Harper Nichols. She paints with words. (I fell in love with her writing before I knew she was Jamie Grace's sister.) This one seemed perfect for today:
"This journey will not be easy, and this is also true, beautiful strength and courage is rising up within you." -MHN
New beginnings require strength and courage. Choosing healing requires strength and courage. Forgiveness requires strength and courage. Embracing new opportunities requires strength and courage. Freedom is always a reason to celebrate.
Saul/Paul is one of my favorite Biblical heroes. The strength of his faith in the Jesus he came face to face with on the road to Damascus humbles me. His hatred for Jesus consumed him and would have eventually ruined his life. Hate is like that. When Saul became Paul, he changed "teams." He knew he was signing up for the beatings, jail, and chains he used to dole out. He did not care! He had a new reason to get up every day.
He found the truest source of freedom. He gave up his privilege to become a slave to the gospel. Understanding and accepting that Jesus was who he claimed to be changed his heart. When his hate died, love blossomed. The stone cold heart became flesh again. One of my very favorite verses is when he is sitting in jail, facing probable death and Paul declares,
"For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me." -Philippians 1:21-23
Paul means, he literally cannot lose! That is freedom. Heaven or sharing the gospel that saved him from himself? Strength and courage rising up in tandem.
Today, I am grateful for strength and courage.
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