Faith Without Works is Dead

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 41^st Annual Legislative Conference was held on September 21-24, 2011 in Washington, DC.  Gathered in one spot were some 10,000 folks from hip hop to high level corporate and small business leaders; from the church to politically savvy women leaders and community organizers, along with the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).  There were robust intergenerational dialogues and practical “how to” information sharing seminars, led by CBC Members, with some of the nation’s best and brightest thinkers, practitioners and opinion shapers, on every conceivable aspect of African American life, e.g.health care, wealth creation, job development, poverty elimination, and civic engagement.

One of the most popular of all the events was the Saturday morning Prayer Breakfast attracting about 3,000 of many of the same leaders who participated in issue workshops and seminars. I am humbled that 30 years ago, my late husband, Tom Skinner, and I founded the Prayer Breakfast as a sacred place for African American leaders to find spiritual renewal for the hard work of empowerment. The good news is that the faith of African Americans remains intact despite the weakening moral fabric of America. The bad news is that the faith foundation of African Americans in years past included less talk and more practical institution building than is now evident. 

The years following President Abraham Lincoln’s signing the Emancipation Proclamation saw the building of some of the most enduring African American organizations and institutions by folks who understood that “faith without works is dead”.  It is mind blowing that without access to technology, widespread political power, high level management positions, wealth, and the first African American President, Black people built such incredible institutions as Howard, Atlanta University, Fisk, Morehouse, Howard and Hampton universities. Believing in a God who could do anything but fail, they joined with progressive, White Americans to elect African Americans to high political offices, create sororities and fraternities, newspapers, service clubs, churches, banks, life insurance companies and other small businesses. This faith inspired work took place during a time when laws were passed that made Black life expendable with lynchings and terrorist acts against African Americans occurring regularly.

Given our glorious past, even in the midst of great dangers, I firmly believe that it will take the following faith-inspired actions for African Americans to re-gain a high level of political and economic momentum and turn our faith into community building work:  1) African American elders practicing a “lived faith”, reflected in life styles of moral excellence that can be modeled by young people;  2) Well educated African American middle class intentionally building connections and relationships with poor and working class African Americans in efforts to strengthen the total community; 3) Training of African Americans in wealth-creation and encouraging greater financial support of African Americans institutions like NAACP and National Urban League ; 4) Intentional efforts at civic engagement and mass demonstrations to protect civil rights, economic, and political gains made by African Americans, against actions to turn back the clock; and,  5) Mentoring of African American young people by older African Americans to provide the love, nurturing, core values, and support needed to build more stable African American communities. Faith combined with works is the key!

Downgraded, Yet Lifted Up!

Can you believe it?  Yesterday, America, the richest and most powerful nation on the face of the earth, was downgraded in its credit rating for the first time in its 235 years of existence as a nation.  What does it mean to be downgraded?  It means a lack of confidence that America will pay its bills.  It means a rejection of America’s AAA credit rating.  It means fear winning out over faith in America’s financial future with the largest stock market decline since World War II of over 600 points.  An incredible spirit of fear, rejection, and lack of confidence fell over our nation on Monday, August 8th as the stock market closed. 

But that was not the whole story.  America’s credit rating was downgraded and the stock markets here and around the world sharply declined.  Yet, the bond market, through record purchases of American securities, was at an all time high.  I do not know much about the stock market.  I do know that when you face a crisis, it helps to look at the big picture.  When I look at the big picture, I see a real message of hope despite all the gloomy news.  I remind myself how grateful I am to live in a nation that has been blessed so mightily by God.  Except for the 911 terrorist attacks, America has never been attacked on its soil.

Beyond good security, you have to travel abroad to know how blessed you are to live in a nation where most schools, telephones and cell phones, power systems, food supplies, airlines, cars, bridges, roads, police and fire departments, and hospitals work.  Despite the record number of natural disasters across America this year, we can still count on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.), Red Cross, Salvation Army, countless churches and millions of goodhearted citizens to show up with food, shelter, and survival supplies. The same is not true in earthquake devastated Haiti and Japan where restoration has not come quickly; nor in drought-stricken Africa where millions die daily.  America may be downgraded financially, but she is still lifted up, protected, and showered by manifold blessings from the God of all creation.

In our personal lives, there are times when we may also experience downgrading.  Whenever we are cut from our jobs, turned down by our college of choice, face a broken marriage or a personal tragedy, the death or serious illness of loved ones, school violence, declining health,  failed finances, or divided congregations, we face a downgrading or rejection that cuts deeply and rocks our world.   Any downgrading or threat to our survival and self-image shatters our confidence and causes fear to overwhelm our very being.  Yet, like America during this season of economic uncertainty, in times like these we need an anchor.  In times like these, when all else fails, we must turn to the only true power, the power of Almighty God, who lifts our heads, when life’s circumstances brings us down.  Be encouraged today by the Biblical Queen Esther, whose Jewish people were threatened with annihilation by evildoers who downgraded and marked them for death, who was lifted up and used by God to save her people.  Be encouraged today the by young Joseph, whose jealous brothers downgraded him, threw him into a pit, and sold him into slavery, but was lifted up by God and moved from the pit to the palace as governor of Egypt.

I encourage you to make today the first day for the rest of your life by rejecting the downgraders; and embracing with new passion and purpose, the uplifting love and power of God alone who can change your circumstances from failed to healed; and from helpless to hopeful.  Fight for those who are worse off than you, as others have fought for you.  Embrace a “Lift My Eyes To The Hills” and “Still I Rise” spirit today as you count your blessings and not your problems.  Remember that the “perfect love” of God, self, and others “casts out fear.”  Put your hope and trust in the God of Jesus Christ alone; not in the Congress, the White House, or even the stock market.  Look up, not down, and live!

Life Is Different From A Wheelchair

Have you ever seen someone in a wheelchair and thought silently to yourself, “How sad; glad it’s not me”?  Of course, you flashed a sympathetic smile to the disabled person as your hurried your “abled” self along.  Or, maybe, you complained to yourself while struggling on a cold and rainy day to find a parking space at the supermarket or mall, and muttered, “why are so many spaces close to the store entrance taken up by the disabled?”

But did you ever stop to think, what your life would be like if you had to spend even a short time disabled and needing a wheelchair to get around?

I honestly never thought about it until this April when disaster struck with a vengeance and I ended up temporarily needing a wheelchair.  Life changed for me, as a Baby Boomer, ex-jogger and vegetarian in superb physical condition, when I experienced a horrific fall.  I do not mean I tripped on the stairs or slipped in the shower for not paying attention.  As an ex-jogger, I had fallen many times on a running path from an unseen dip in the road, or on uneven pavement of city streets.  Over time, I learned how to collapse into an easy fall and have never suffered more than a few bruises and momentary embarrassment.  Sometimes, I could even brace myself to ease the fall. This time, there was simply nothing to prevent my fall. Nothing at all. 

I was speaking at a college and shortly before my session I went with the moderator into a small auditorium to review the format as I normally do.  Surprisingly, in a new, energy efficient building with motion sensored lighting, there were no lights on as we entered the room.  My colleague opened the door and called out for a custodian but no one was on duty.  So we walked along the back wall searching for a light switch with the door ajar to give some light.  In the process, with no lights along the floor indicating stairs, I fell harder than ever down deep steps landing on my right foot with my ankle twisting backward and landed face down.  It happened in less than five seconds.   While being helped up, I prayed that nothing was broken. 

I requested from the custodian, who finally showed up, a bucket of ice for my foot,  gave my message, then left for the nearby medical center very thankful for health insurance.  I could not believe the doctor who said, “the X-rays revealed two broken bones in your right ankle, so I need to fit you with a cast and crutches.”  I could not answer because my mind was racing with questions.  How could I preach in the Chapel tomorrow in a cast and on crutches?   As a frequent traveler who easily navigates through airport, how in the world would I manage now on crutches?  Why did it have to be my right ankle that was broken; and especially my driving foot?  How could I navigate around my house where all the bedrooms are upstairs and the kitchen downstairs.  And what about the travel commitments I have made?  For a moment, I was overwhelmed and settled into a 20 second pity party.

I asked the doctor and nurse to leave the room and give me a moment alone.  Once alone, I prayed “Lord you said you would never give me more than I could handle.  Well I need your help right now to handle this situation.” I added, “God you are so powerful that you could have allowed me to fall without breaking a single bone broken because all power is in your hand.  So obviously, you have a purpose in this that I simply do not understand.  So I will trust you.”

Fitted with a soft temporary air cast, I preached the next day in the Chapel sitting on a stool, after a long, sleepless night of ibuprofen and numbing pain.  With great help from sister friends; I successfully negotiated the airport . . . yes, from a wheelchair.  A second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon back home affirmed that a minimum three months would be required for healing, assuming I spent the time totally off my feet and in a wheelchair when I left the house.  So I went from 3-5 meetings a day to working from my bed on the computer, struggling up and down the stairs in my medical boot that looked like an oversized ski boot.

It has been more than two and a half months since my fall and I tell you life teaches great lessons from the wheelchair, or from any crisis you face.  First, you learn that life may not be fair but God is good.  God will never leave you or forsake you in your crisis. Your illness or disaster gives you much unplanned time alone to pray, meditate, reflect on your life and remember what really matters.  You have time alone with God who has your full attention from the usual distractions to develop closer relationships and deeper faith.  Trust me, God wastes no time helping you to see areas of your life that need a make-over.  Disasters and setbacks also help you to realize how little control you have over certain life circumstances.  Whereas work too often becomes our master, leaving little time for family and friends, disaster forces us to focus and even depend upon family and friends. 

Second, crisis helps you to see people in a whole new way.  I have always embraced as brothers and sisters, people of all races and backgrounds.  Yet, from a wheelchair, from a crisis, you see people of all races and cultures in a whole new way.  You feel a sense of oneness with strangers who from their wheelchair smile at you, not a sympathetic, “O you poor thing smile”, but with an “I know how you feel smile” of understanding and support.   I tell you, there’s total equality from the wheelchair because disaster is an equal opportunity employer.  It favors no race, gender, culture or age.

Third, you get to really know what people are like in your crisis.  The people you thought would be there for you don’t show up at all.  People you never expected to show up, or maybe took for granted, provide amazing emotional, spiritual and physical support.  I love social networking and appreciate my Facebook page, but a true "friend" is the one who despite the inconvenience shows up if only to say, “I’m here; or what do you need.”

Finally, crisis and physical setbacks like mine provide an opportunity for real introspection and for making needed changes in your life.  What about the book or play you have been threatening to write or the advanced degree you have dreamed of pursuing?  And what about family and friends you have not contacted for awhile because 60 hour weeks leave little time for either.  By God’s grace, I am on my way to healing and have started driving short distances near my house.  But even if my injury had caused long term disability, the same lessons would apply and I am thankful for mine.  The next time I pass someone at the airport, or at the market in a wheelchair, I will look at them in a very different way.  I will not look with sympathy, but with understanding because I sincerely believe that when some member of the human family hurts, we all hurt.  Dr. Martin Luther King said it best, “we are all caught in an inescapable web of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects us all indirectly."

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height: She Walked Among Us As One Who Served

In Celebration of Her 99th Birthday on March 24, 2011

In an age when many leaders desperately seek their 15 minutes of YouTube fame, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, was celebrated by presidents and everyday citizens alike for being the rarest of all humans—a servant leader.

In the spirit of Jesus Christ, in whom she fervently believed, Dr. Height, who died nearly one year ago in at the age of 98, stated in her remarkable memoirs, Open Wide the Freedom Gates, that her singular purpose was a life of service and leadership.  In Open Wide, she tells of being scolded by her mother for laughing at a young boy her age who could not remember the words to his short Easter speech, while she recited her longer speech perfectly.  She received a ‘tough love’ lesson in servant leadership from her mother, whom she said, “helped me to understand how not to show off what I knew, but how to use it so that others might benefit.  She always kept before me my responsibility to other people...”

Jesus spoke of leadership from a different point of view and Dr. Height got the message.  He told his disciples who argued over who would be first in God’s kingdom, telling them “whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.”  Of himself, he said, “I came not to be served but to serve.” The message of servant leadership contrasts sharply with the predominant “top-down leadership” of our time.  Jesus’message of serving as a number one priority, then leading with serving others in mind, was not lost on Ms. Height, as many lovingly called her.  It was not lost on her growing up in the coal mining town of Rankin, Pennsylvania when she taught Bible lessons to foreign-born white children at the Rankin Christian Center.   She saw everyone in need, whether immigrant or citizen, as a child of God, and served in that spirit.

Nor was the lesson of being other-centered lost on Dr. Dorothy during the 1963 March on Washington.  As the only woman slated to speak at the male-dominated historic march, she voluntarily gave up her time, so that at a young leader named Martin Luther King, Jr. could have more time to share his now famous “I Have A Dream” speech during prime television time.

For over eight decades, Dr. Height sat through meetings aimed at improving human conditions, listening intently, oft times knitting, always decked out in her signature hats, quietly sharing her wisdom as she felt it appropriate.  Her focus was never on being the only African American or woman in meetings with well-known leaders.  Her life-long commitment was to “Open Wide the Freedom Gates” to ensure that other women servant leaders could also enter.  And, when they entered, the only important topic would be addressing the needs of the underserved, which remained at the center of the dialogue. 

While others sought the limelight, Dr. Height—through wars, struggles on behalf of people of every background against discrimination and degradation—kept her eye on the prize of serving those who had no voice, little hope, and few options in life.  Always immaculately dressed with stunning matching hats, Dr. Height’s spirit of servant leadership was seen in the way that she showed up, whether at a rally, a women’s rights meeting, a congressional hearing, at White House briefing or a community gathering.  She added an air of dignity and ‘somebodyness” to every occasion as if to represent both in style, substance, the left out, locked out, and last to benefit in society, because they mattered so much to her and to the God she served.

Dr. Height will always be remembered for another powerful trait of a servant leader. She practiced civility and respect for the dignity of all others, even those with whom she disagreed. Hers was the kind of civility so desperately needed in an age of name calling and vicious labeling among too many leaders today. For Dr. Height, a dignified, decent, and dedicated servant of Christ, the issue was not about being right and proving the other person wrong. The issue was on doing right for those whom one of the world’s richest nations had treated so wrong…and for so long.  What a treasure our world has been given through the amazing life and remarkable legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who walked among us as one who served…and we are all the better for it.