“Red Tails” I Will Fight!

When I awoke last Friday morning I was scurrying to get ready to meet with my brother and sister. My sister who is a retired Major of the U.S. Army had called a few days before and arranged that we go to see the movie about the Tuskegee Airmen.

I can’t say when she asked me I was excited about seeing the movie. I was more excited about spending time with family members.

Once we nestled inside the theater and the movie started, I was totally caught up in “Red Tails”. From the beginning to the end my emotions went from laughter to crying and everything in between. I felt and continue to feel Godly proud not just for those in the movie, but for all of those who actually lived it. There was such a connection to them and being proud to be an African-American. I’m so thankful that George Lucas never gave up and held fast to the vision for 23 years. In actuality, the vision started decades before when the Tuskegee Airmen Program was envisioned and the first recruits began their training. The seed had been planted.

The esprit de corps transcended the original Tuskegee Airmen and today as many have flocked to the theaters have embraced that same sentiment. It resonates loud and clear. It is more than a movie it is a movement. It took decades for it to hit the movie screens and one can only feel that its time is now!

The vision for those who performed with excellence, precision and unified determination to be celebrated may have tarried, but it never died. They fought to the end. Along the way, when many of their audible voices were silenced from death, they are still supporters like the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, George Lucas and many others who fought to the end to make sure this masterpiece and integral part of not only American history but the world’s was told.

There is something said about never giving up on your vision and your dreams. Yes you have to fight for them everyday even in the midst of living them out. I continue to hear those words once they finished praying huddled in a group exclaiming, “We will fight! We will fight! We will fight to the end!”

Each of us must have that same tenacity, determination and esprit de corps about our visions and our dreams. We have to embrace that same sentiment when it comes to our communities and our country. As an African-American I feel it is even more paramount for us in our cultural. They represented us so well. It is my pray and hope that the young people and all people will realize that we must return to a place of unity. . . a place of esprit de corps.

I sat in that theater and with each passing scene became more and more enthralled with being a part of it–even if I was only spectator in the theater. I’m not one who frequents the movies, but I’m so glad I did go see the “Red Tails”. So much pride and distinction encompassed those “red tails” painted on the planes.

It has touched me to the core of my being and made me realize that regardless of the obstacles and barriers that try to prohibit you from becoming all God envisioned, you simply have to fight for it. There is nothing to stop us from moving forward both collectively and individually. Just like the barriers that were trying to prevent them from success, each of us have our own barriers. We must be unstoppable. We are unstoppable.

They fought! They fought! They fought to the end! And, you know what, they more than won! They continue to win! I have adopted that mantra and you should too, “I will fight! I will fight! I will fight to the bitter end!” Believe me, we are already more than conquerors.

SCRIPTURES  

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Hab 2:2-4 (KJV)

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matt 11:12 (KJV)

Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run-but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box-but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others. 1 Cor 9:24-27 (GW)

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Tim 4:7 (KJV)

The person who has God’s approval will live by faith. But if he turns back, I will not be pleased with him.” We don’t belong with those who turn back and are destroyed. Instead, we belong with those who have faith and are saved. Heb 10:38-39 (GW)

PRAY

Father, Bless each of the Tuskegee Airmen who fought so valiantly for our freedom even in the midst of the racial sentiments that viewed them as inferior. That same esprit de corps they exhibited decades ago, allow it to permeate each of us, our families, the African-American community and our society. The dreams and visions You have placed inside each of us, bless us to never give up but to keep the faith even in the waiting because the violent take it by force. We will never draw back but will fight to the end to become all You envisioned. Amen.

Get Behind A Truck: Path To Success

It was raining and dark, not the best of conditions, as I drove back from dropping off a friend at the airport. Visibility was not great and coupled with my mature night vision it required a lot of effort. It can be stressful as other cars are wheezing by, or riding so close because they were clueless about what I was contending with at that moment. They didn’t understand that the faster I would go the more impaired my distant vision became and the likelihood I would become overwhelmed would increased causing me to slow down even more.

Needless to say, I did what I knew to do which was to pray. In an instance, I recalled what my one of sisters had told me. “Get behind a truck and coast behind it.” That is what I did. In the assurance of the remembrance, I was also directed which truck to get behind. There were myriad trucks out there and I could have gotten behind one that was racing down the freeway like a crazed maniac. But, I was guided to follow this one truck and in the quietness of God’s assurance, I knew that this truck would be the one to take me to a place of comfort.

My apprehensiveness subsided as I focused my eyes on the back of that truck and coasted down the freeway. He maintained a comfortable speed as he was unaware that he had cargo behind him. As I followed behind him my vantage point was limited because all I could see was the back of his truck.

As I followed closely behind him, the small still voice of God reassured me that this truck would take me straight to the point where I needed to turn off. Gradually I approached the turnoff point and maneuvered to get into the right lane. As soon as I was safely there, you guessed it, that truck eased right in front of me. We both turned off at the same point and approached a fork in the road where he went left and I went right. I never physically met the driver, but he guided me to a place of comfort and I could see my way clear. By that time, dawn was rearing its head just above the horizon.

There are situations in our lives when you can’t stop moving even in the midst of anxiety. You are not going to know everything, but you do have to trust that God does. In His infiniteness, He is safely guiding and orchestrating your every move. Yes, you are going to be afraid, but you can’t stop moving forward. Pray, seek God’s direction as I did and follow them closely.

Not only that, he will also connect you with someone who will help to move you further down your path. You may or may not know them, but trust God for those divine connections that propel you forward. Interestingly, as I road behind that truck my trip back was a lot easier and faster than my trip going out. There are times when you need someone else to propel you forward because they have the necessary information for your success.

Trusting in God requires blind faith. In essence, my vision was impaired. I was totally depended on the driver of the truck. You have to become so depended on God that you lose yourself as you seek and closely follow Him. Yes, especially in the curves of life and the darkest of circumstances.

Peace encapsulated me as I drove behind that truck. It is that same serenity of peace you must have in following God. He will not steer you wrong. He will not cause you to move so fast that you become overwhelmed. Yes, He does guide you at a steady pace on your road to success.

SCRIPTURES

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov 3:5-6 (KJV)

I have followed his footsteps closely. I have stayed on his path and did not turn from it. Job 23:11 (GW)

You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever.Psalms 16:11 (GW)

Who, then, is this person that fears the Lord? He is the one whom the Lord will teach which path to choose. He will enjoy good things in life, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord advises those who fear him. He reveals to them the intent of his promise. Psalms 25:12-14 (GW)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105 (KJV)

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:11 (KJV)

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov 4:18 (KJV)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him withhis hand. Psalms 37:23-24 (KJV)

I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have guided you along decent paths. Prov 4:11 (GW)

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalms 32:8 (KJV)

Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don’t even know the way to town. Eccl 10:15 (GW)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:5 (KJV)

PRAYER

Father,  Sometimes it seems as though things are overwhelming and I don’t always know the right path to take. I peer ahead and I can only see the darkness of a horizon where things appear to be raging all around me. Please order my steps and provide a clear path for me. Open my ears to hear and follow Your divine instructions. Open my eyes so I can clearly see the path that You have orchestrated for me. Bless me to celebrate those divine connections You have created for my success. I may not be able to see clearly or understand everything, but I will not lean to my own understanding because You are directing my path as You lovingly guide me to a bright future paved with extraordinary success. Amen

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All Is Well? It’s Exceptionally Well in 2012!

Every year we always look for something we can sink our teeth into. We look for something that we propel us to accomplish all those things that we have resolved in our minds or on paper to do during the ensuing year. I’m no different than everybody else.   read more…