The past few weeks have been emotionally taxing to say the least. Amid a pandemic, our country also dealt with a deplorable act. Across the world, we watched a man lose his breath until life left from his body while under the knee of a public official. Worse yet, these moments of police brutality did not begin with George Floyd, and sadly may not end with him. Nonetheless, with our God given gifts and talents, we can help make a change.
On the contrary, many people black, white, purple, and otherwise gathered together to stand in protest against this crime. I don’t mean to provide a synopsis of what the world is facing. Instead, I want to offer a spiritual perspective that will, hopefully, ignite a flame within you take action. If you’re like me, maybe you didn’t physically protest, but was just as hurt, outraged, and emotional overwhelmed. It’s possible you’ve been outraged and feel powerless. You might even fear being spotted out in the fields because you know it could cost you your job. And yet, you still want to do something. In this post, I share four steps to unpacking your purpose in order for you to help make a change.
Let me tell you sis, no matter what your situation is, you can affect change.
Change- noun|the act or instance of making or becoming different
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My story:
First, it’s important to note police brutality and this moment of frustration felt around the world is the tip of an ice berg called systematic oppression. There are many ailments and ills that accompany this major issue. Black people have been marginalized and oppress in many facets of our humanity. Our homes, hearts, ambitious, health, wealth and much more has been tainted by the operation of racism in our country. In essence, pillars of our existence has been devastated for generations upon generations.
It is important to note the same cancer that causes police brutality, effects many areas of life for Black people. We have less opportunity for jobs, but we are more likely to be incarcerated for petty crimes. We hope to educate our children so they can live better lives, but must send them to failing schools. We want to love, but our history has destroyed trust between black men and women for generations. We desire to live long lives, but we are surrounded by food deserts. The dichotomy of Blackness could go on. Nonetheless, no matter our walk of life, we can help to restore that which has been lost in our communities. The good news is, the power to do so, is divine.
I don’t mean to shower this post with tears, but I think about these ailments, and I hurt. I hurt bad. In fact, I remember leaving college carrying negativity and disdain in my heart after learning about these stark injustices. I was angry and overwhelmed all the time because I understood the pressure we were under. I wanted to do everything to help the cause, but I did not know were to start. Feeling like I wanted to to everything, ultimately resulted in doing nothing but ushering along in the cycle of life. Soon after, I felt helpless. Until I realized my contribution to change aligned with my God given purpose.
BREAK IT DOWN, B:
At the end and beginning of the day, we may not protest the same. We not understand the world the same. We may not operate the same, and all of that is for good reason. God blessed us all with special talents, interests, and gifts. We were all especially crafted with a special purpose in mind. It is our duty to use those gifts, talents, and purposes to serve and help make a change in our respective spaces. (1 Peter 4: 10-11)
In each field of interest, there is something and for some cause you can use your expertise to serve. For instance, if you are a teacher, you can teach the issues and empower the next generation. As a writer, you can record, inspire, and help change a heart. As an agriculturalist, you can teach our people how to grow healthy food. If you are a nurse, you can educate us on how to take care of our bodies. As a person altogether, you can volunteer for the agenda that best suits your interests and passions.
My suggestion is to unpack your purpose, find your niche, and develop a way to use your thing to affect change.
How to Unpack your purpose to execute your Contribution
- Unpack your purpose by studying and exploring your interests, gifts, and talents. Think back into your life. Consider the things you’ve previously enjoyed doing. Think about the talents you use daily, or the skills you harbor. Think about the seasons in your life that made you feel full. Your purpose can be found in the combination of those things, for God equipped you with the qualities necessary to do the work you were called to do.
- Discover your passion by studying and exploring the issues that mean the most to you. There are so many issues infiltrating the strength of the Black community. Most of them are square in our faces. Those things that makes your heart mad are the things for which you have passion. Research them. Unearth the causes, the effects, and the specific treatments in your very own community.
- Figure out how you can use your gifts and talents to aid in your cause. Once you understand your purpose and your cause. Decide on a way to use the gifts and talents God blessed you with to help your cause. Maybe the way is to protest, volunteer, register voters, buy and shop at Black business, financial education, municipal/political education, traditional literacy, etc. etc.
- Take Action. Now that you have unpacked our purpose, discovered your cause, and established a plan to use those things to benefit others, take action. Throw caution to the wind and make your contribution happen.
In summary
Sis, I know. I know. This is a very difficult season especially as a mother to a Black son. This season hits differently. I understand. I also understand feeling powerless, or feeling like your voice and concerns are not heard. The good news is, you still have the power to make change. Gratefully, it starts with your God given purpose. Luckily, you were already born with it.
Now more than ever is the time to tap into your gifts, talents, and purpose. It is time to uncover your passions and concerns in your community, and use what you have to spark change in your space on this planet. Imagine. If we all did something to make our communities greater, across the world, one heart, one lesson, one shift, one book, one pursuit at a time, we would dismantle centuries of dehumanization. Have hope that progress is being made, and we can help to make a change.
Tap in, sis. Tap in your purpose. Take action the way only you can.
Pay Homage:
“No matter who you are, there is something you are exceptional at that you can do to affect those around you that is your superpower. Use whatever your superpower is to change one heart at a time because that’s what we’re going to need to fight against five centuries of dehumanization.”
—Tomi Adeyemi
Facts:
- Everyone was born with a purpose.
- There is more work to be done to dismantle systematic oppression.
- Large or small your personal contribution can help make a change.
Affirmation:
I can use my gifts, talents, and purpose to make my community a better place.
Salute:
Thanks for reading! It means the world to me.
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