Pastor's Column 7/2/2023

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you? She asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother.” Exodus 2:6-8, NLT

“Help From The Shadows!”

In God’s providence, nothing is coincidental. Many of the events in our lives are incidental to the will and promises of God. This was certainly the view of the people, not much different from ourselves; but who walked the pages of the Holy Scriptures. They believed their destinies were in the hands of a sovereign God, who inevitably directed the circumstances in their lives. Often, we look at people who have achieved greatness or heroism in life without seeing some of the forces behind their prominence. There are people who stand in the shadows of our lives who are unseen and unknown. They have been helpful to us at pivotal points in our lives; and, it is good when we come to recognize the impact they’ve had on our journey. The preparation of Moses as a deliverer of His people, began when His mother laid eyes on him and said, “He was a special baby.” Sensing the destiny of her child; J0chebed released him at 3 months old in a reed basket, among the slow currents of the Nile River. In the shadows, was the baby’s older sister, Miriam, whom God positioned near Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam, persuaded Bithiah, Pharoah’s daughter, to have a Hebrew woman nurture the baby. Miriam chose her own mother; permitting the child and mother to bond. Recently a woman of 96 years, went to her eternal rest. She t00, stood in the shadows always protecting her younger brother. She did this from the day he was born. He too, was destined by God to be a global nonviolent prophet. Dr. Christine King Ferris was Martin Luther King, Jr’s only sister, and older sibling. A great educator, author, and mentor to countless students at Spelman College; from the shadows, she encouraged her brother, who would become the apostle of peace and justice.