Many of the marches led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King were punctuated by songs like, "We Shall Overcome," which encouraged and united the marchers, while communicating deep truths to the onlookers and opposers.
As we reflect on the things Dr. King and other Civil Rights leaders fought and died for, we see all around us evidence that we have overcome many of the barriers that left the races separate and unequal.
In spite of many of the many strides accomplished during the Civil Rights era, there still remains a simmering residue of racism in our country-- just enough to be detected by those victimized by it, yet subtle enough for perpetrators to deny its existence.
Unfortunately, even worse than the residual racism that still exists, some of us still have not figured out how to overcome the myriad of other tricks and taunts that the enemy uses to oppress and depress all of us, regardless of race.
"...for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Rev. 12:10b)
God tells us clearly that we have an adversary here on earth who accuses us day and night, relentlessly targeting our self esteem and our esteem of God. Racism is only one of the tools Satan uses to accuse and confuse us about our value. Some of us are more torn down emotionally and spiritually by listening to the foul voices in our own heads as opposed to verbal taunts from someone else.
Some of us listen to a lot of negative self-talk about our physical appearance, skills, intellect or talents, constantly comparing ourselves to others or to unneccessary and unrealistic standards.
If we want to overcome the tricks and traps that have overcome us, the solution is found in Revelation 12:11:
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death."
When we truly and fully accept the shed blood and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our minds are renewed and we can focus on the truth of what God has said about us and has done for us (our testimony).
God's truth cancels out Satan's lies every time. We just have to decide that we are not so in love with being accepted by those who follow secular instead of sacred standards. We have to be willing to die to worldly standards of beauty, brawn and success and accept that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.
With the blood of the Lamb as our covering and the truth of God's Word in our hearts and on our lips, we shall overcome, indeed!
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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