John Robert Lewis, an African-American, civil rights leader and Democratic Statesman from Georgia passed away on July 17, 2020, in the midst of The Covid 19 Pandemic. He was 80 years old and died from Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. John was a sharecropper’s son and was called to preach at an early age. They say he used to preach to the chickens and baptize them. He suffered many blows to his body in his fight for freedom and equality in racist Alabama.
Just like Pastor Emeritus, the Late Reverend Morgan M. Days, John Robert Lewis was from my hometown, Troy, Alabama. I did not know John Lewis personally but watching his home-going celebration in Troy was a source of great pride and sadness for me, knowing that this one who got into good trouble was now gone. He had a great presence, and like so many, I have been inspired by him. As an activist, John Lewis led demonstrations against racially segregated restrooms, hotels, restaurants, public parks, and swimming pools, and he rose up against many other indignities. At nearly every turn he was beaten, spat upon, and burned with cigarettes. He was tormented by white mobs and suffered many body blows at the hands of white law enforcement. It looked like he was losing the fight, but when it was all said and done, he called it good trouble.
On “Bloody Sunday,” one trooper cracked John’s skull with a Billy-club, knocked him to the ground, and hit him again when he tried to get up. Arrested forty times, John Robert Lewis, was a kind of modern-day Paul. John Robert Lewis persisted in his calling and so did Paul. But unlike John Lewis or Paul, most of us are apt to quit and want out of our suffering the moment our suffering begins. Many of us cannot handle our disappointments and fail to stand in the face of trials, tribulations, and tests. We want to bail out fast when God delays our requests and trouble comes. We do not believe in any kind of trouble- let alone, good trouble. But I heard Pastor Washington says, “God’s delay is not His denial.”
But as the children of God, we are consecrated for the fight. It is called the good fight of faith. In 1 Timothy 6:12, we are admonished to “Fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Consecration means we have been called to the fight. It also means that the battle is not ours. It is the Lord’s! Consecration means that as children of God we are set apart, His representatives, and off-spring of our valiant Father. We know from the Word of God that Satan, our enemy, is a defeated foe. Even with his best shot, he cannot win. We may not look like much, but we are more than conquerors, and “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV).” But I wonder if we give up too easily.
In the family of Faith, our Father’s reputation is at stake. John Lewis lost his family’s goodwill when his parents learned that he had been arrested in Nashville, TN during a protest. He noted that they were ashamed, and when he asked them about signs saying, “White Only,” they told him “That’s the way it is, don’t get into trouble.” But as an adult, after meeting Dr. King John was inspired to get into trouble. Good trouble. Necessary- trouble.
“Good Trouble,” became his motto for life. Getting in the fight means we have to surrender. But surrender to God is not quitting. It is re-posturing; the kind of surrender that forces us to let go of whatever has been holding us back from God’s best for us. It is letting go of whatever has kept us from wanting God’s way first.
Throughout Scripture, there are many examples of courageous men and women who did it in God’s way. Noah built the Ark (Genesis 7:1). David obeyed God (2 Samuel 12:24); and God, the Father sent His only Son to satisfy the penalty of sin. It was judgment for all who believe in Him. Jesus died and was buried for your Sin and mine, and He arose from the dead. It was good trouble for an unworthy bunch, but because of His great love for us, God chose us, and set us apart for His Glory!
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted but not forsaken; cast down by not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 KJV
I confess that I have quit many times in the middle of the fight, but this year I will surrender again. Does surrender mean that I throw up my hands and give up? Or that I bow down on my knees…head down?
“Yes, and Yes!” Because either way, even though I am called into the battle, God is in Control and the battle is already won.
Happy New Year!
Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon