3-5-2017

 Good Morning All,

              1 John 3:1a; “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

     During the late 1970’s and through the 1980’s Jesse Jackson and a group of other people formed a couple of organizations that were designed to build up young poor men especially young black men from the urban ghettos.  Jackson and others recognized the devastating effects of poverty, under-education, unemployment, deteriorating family and social structures were taking their toll.  The youth of these blighted areas, especially the young men, were losing hope, were giving up and surrendering to the evils around them; drugs, violence and crime.

    Jesse Jackson, a great orator, would give stirring speeches at rallies trying to encourage the youth and restore some of their confidence.  The organizations tried to establish enterprise zones, scholarship offers and mentoring.  Yet it was the rousing speeches of Jesse Jackson that most resonated.  His repeating phrase was, “if my mind can believe then my heart can achieve it for I am somebody.”  It was his view that many people gave up because they felt invisible and worthless.  Society and the greater world view beat them down until they felt worthless and gave up hope.

    Jackson had meager success at best.  Some say the task was too daunting; some say the investment was too little.  Some said the problems will always exist and that some will always win and some will always lose in the economy and in life.  These observations may be correct or maybe not; but one thing is true; people often feel lost, hopeless and in pain about tomorrow.  Some feel it once in a while, some more regularly and some feel it all the time.  While Jackson’s efforts should be applauded, it was destined to fail because it placed its hope in the wrong place.  Just because I have a dream does not make me somebody.  Being somebody is not something that happens in me; it happens to me.  I am somebody because I am a child of God.

    I am somebody; you are somebody because God, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe has mercy on us and claims us as his children because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  That is what makes you somebody.  Somebody that is loved, valued and cherished by God our Father.  You are somebody because God loves you.  You are somebody because God willingly took on brokenness that used to define you and brought you back into his loving kingdom.  Jesus came to make you somebody and you are because of the love that God pours out on you through Jesus.  You are somebody.

Father of all glory, you make us your children because of your amazing love.  In you we find our identity and our worth.  In you we have our hope and peace.  Protect us through your loving arms.  Send your Spirit to those who feel empty and worthless.  Give them your hope and peace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret