| February 10, 2021 |
Along The Way |
A familiar line from the song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” reminds us of the faithfulness of God. When I hear the words, “God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way,” sung, I am reminded of the presence of God with all people throughout their living. As a pastor and historian, the observance of Black History month reminds me of the importance of the Christian faith among African Americans in their pursuit of equality.
When I think about the intersection of faith and living in the Black experience, I think of my grandmother Mrs. Gertrude who migrated from South Carolina to New Jersey in the 1950’s. I remember her singing often the following words to me: “If it had, not, been, for the Lord, on my side, where would I be? Where would I be?” in describing her faith journey. This sentiment is also expressed in scripture in Lamentations 3:22-23 which reads, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
In the testimonies of our family history and those of the great cloud of witnesses that have gone on ahead of us, we find evidence of God’s unyielding love towards us.
Individually and as a church family, we can affirm emphatically that God has brought us thus far along the way and that God has been faithful from generation to generation. During this 2021 observance of Black History Month at Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church and nationally across our country, let us pause, remember, celebrate and give God praise for the contributions of African Americans to American culture and society as we celebrate too, God being present with us throughout all history.
Blessings and peace to you all!
Rev. Perzavia T. Praylow, PhD., Pastor
Click Here for February Prayer and Praise Newsletter
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