Juneteenth | Echo Of Freedom
Juneteenth is a monumental day in history when the echo of delayed freedom finally reached the ears of enslaved Black Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation. Imagine those who heard this good news for the first time - of justice, liberty, and freedom that included them.
John 13:34 says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." In the next verse, Jesus said how we love one another would be how the world comes to know him.
Even with imminent news prolonging its reach to the furthest end where slavery still existed, jubilation for justice was immediate for those set free. And as Paul encourages the Church in Romans 12 to celebrate with those who celebrate and mourn with those who mourn, Juneteenth is an opportunity to do both with great compassion, listening ears, and love modeled by Jesus.
God is always inviting people to live a life of extraordinary prayer and costly obedience, walking with his Spirit, and being witnesses of his good news. And good news - this freedom is for everyone, forever. As American Abolitionist Frederick Douglass said, "I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs."
While there have been steps in the right direction, there is a long road ahead. Juneteenth is a chance to pray and work together for the better- beginning in each of us and extending beyond. Today, here's an invitation to look back, look around, and look ahead:
Look Back: Learn more and reflect on the hundreds of years Black Americans walked and stood for freedom. Juneteenth is a beautiful celebration of many who chose to make a difference where they could, living a selfless life of multigenerational impact that went beyond them and their time.
Look Around: If Juneteenth is part of your family's tradition, celebrate and mourn well together with your community today! If today is unfamiliar, look around with courageous curiosity. Who can you gather around a table and have a conversation with? Look at your story of how Jesus loves you, and follow his countercultural lead to love everyone with curious empathy.
Look Ahead: Look for people with different life experiences than you who you could partner with, exchange stories with, and encourage one another to love and look like Jesus. Join others in praying expectantly for racial justice and unity. As your relationships grow, ask God how you can intentionally partner together in tangibly "praying with your feet."
Jesus modeled love by being love, calling people to do the same. So, what would it look like to actively love your neighbor (celebrating and mourning together) in pursuit of racial reconciliation and justice? May you and the people in your life learn to love like Jesus with empathy, truth, and grace.