For my dissertation defense I have had to read countless books concerning black conservatives. One book that I read will serve as the inspiration for today’s thought. Jackie Robinson wrote an autobiography entitled I Never Had it Made. He details his life in this book, but there is one part that stood out to me. Robinson describes how he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson informs the reader that during the early part of the 1940s, Branch Rickey, the president of the Dodgers, was on a quest to find an African American baseball player who would integrate the sport. During this time, unbeknownst to Robinson, Rickey and his men searched the
The point of this story is that Robinson had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. He was completely unaware that baseball scouts were searching the nation, trying to find someone who would become the first to integrate major league baseball. He had no idea the discussion that was going on behind closed doors. He had no idea that his name was being thrown around, that his talent had drawn the attention of Rickey and others. In the beginning of 1945 he had no idea how much his life would change by the end of the year.
What is the spiritual significance? I tell you this story, because as I was reading it I began thinking about God and how this can relate to us as well. God works behind the scenes, just like Rickey did. He orchestrates things in our life unbeknownst to us. David had no idea while he was tending the sheep that God was going to use Samuel to anoint him king. But God was working behind the scenes. When he informed Saul that the throne would be taken from him, he already knew it was David who would take his place. Esther had no idea that she was going to be queen. But God already knew what He had in store for her when Vashti refused to go to the king. Moses did not know that he was going to go to Pharaoh and demand that he set the Israelites free, but God knew He was going to use him when he was in the wilderness.
God plans things for us without our knowledge. You might be working at an office, and don’t realize that God is about to open the doors for another opportunity to come. You might be going to the university and don’t realize that God has orchestrated a scholarship to become available where you study abroad. You might be the choir member who sings in the back row, and don’t realize that God is about to make you the choir director. You might be the Children’s Sunday School teacher, but don’t realize that He is about to make you the District President.
You might be the [fill in the blank]… but don’t realize that God is about to make you the first female…. You might be the…but don’t realize that God is about to make you the first minority…. You might be the…. But don’t realize that God is going to make you the first in your family to….. You might be the…. But don’t realize that God is going to have you do something that no one in your church has done before. You might be the… but don’t realize that God is going to have you be the first in the assembly to….You might be…..
When God does call us, that does not mean that we are going to have it easy. Continuing with the Robinson story, while Robinson would be the first black in the major leagues, this milestone would come with a heavy cost. He had to, as Robinson recalls “be one who could take abuse, name-calling, rejection by fans and sportswriters and by fellow players not only on opposing teams but on his own.” The nation was incredibly segregated at this time. Schools had not been integrated, a black person living in the south could not even look a white person in the eye, without fear of being lynched. I say this because the same is true for us. God might have something great in store for us, but it will come with a cost.
God told Jeremiah “before you were in your mother’s womb, I ordained you to be a prophet.” But then He went on to tell Jeremiah that the people would fight against him. David was anointed a king, but spent years on the run, fearing for his life, before taking the throne. Joseph was given a dream, but spent years in a prison. Deborah was a judge, and although the Bible does not say it, I am pretty sure some people were unwilling to accept that because she was a female.
These are all individuals who God called to do great things, but who had to go through trials and tribulations. The same can be said for each and every one of us. God might be calling you to do a great thing. He might be calling you to do something that no one else has ever done. He might be calling you to be the first female to do something. He might be calling you to do something that no one in the Apostolic Assembly has done before. He might be calling you to do something that no one in your family has done before. But there is a price to be paid.
You might be laughed at. Someone might tell you that you can’t do it. Someone might tell you that you don’t belong. Someone might tell you that God has the wrong person. Someone might laugh at your dream. They might mock what you are doing. Like Robinson, and like all the individuals from the Bible you might have to go through a lot in order to fulfill God’s plan.
Having said all of that, I want to end on a positive note. Just a few short days ago baseball celebrated Robinson’s legacy. It had been 60 years since he broke the color line. In celebration the Los Angeles Dodgers wore the number 42 to recognize what he had done. There is a legacy that you will leave if you are willing to do what God wants you to do. Joseph is remembered for saving the land during the time of famine. Deborah is known for being a great judge. David is known for being a great king. Jeremiah is known for speaking the Word of God. Mary is known for being the mother of Jesus. Peter is known for leading thousands to Christ on the day of Pentecost. Esther is known for saving the Israelites from destruction. The list can go on. Individuals known for what they did. They have left a legacy. Likewise, you too can leave a legacy.
If you endure. If you are willing to climb that mountain. If you are willing to be mocked. If you are willing to be alone. If you are willing to endure criticism. If you are willing…. You too can leave a legacy. Sometimes we don’t see the impact that we are making, but the impact we are making is no less great because of that. There are things you are doing today that are leaving marks for tomorrow.