From birth I was taught about God and Christ and how to live a christian life. Religion is sewn into the fibers that make up my body. All my life I’ve attended a church composed of relatives and close family friends. Several members of my family are ministers. Being heavily involved in church made my family dynamics different yet traditional. Growing up we had no choice but to go to church, and if you were a descendent of Anna Smith, you had to join the choir. I mean after all, the church was founded by us. Given my experience, I assumed this was synonymous with everyone’s household. My classmates across all academic levels disproved that theory. Amongst my previous and current friend groups you’ll find an array of spiritual ideologies. Through the years, I’ve heard and opposed countless challenges to my beliefs. Which led me to the question: why is it so important for this world to declare God a false myth.

Religion has always been an armor for Black people against the perils stacked against us in this world. When our ancestors were forced into slavery, they were stripped of there customs and native culture. I’m not sure what religion was prevalent in Africa at the time, but once forced into the United States, our ancestors were able to form their own connection to western world divinity. White masters attempted to use the bible as tool to maintain discipline among the enslaved and justify the system of slavery. It is true that the Bible conveyed stories of enslavement, particularly that of the Israelites by the Egyptians, but just as for Black people, enslavement is not how the stories end. Just like the Israelites, our ancestors were victorious over their captors and delivered from slavery by the power of God.

Our enslaved ancestors weren’t allowed to read, but they were allowed to be taught certain portions of the bible. Slave masters wanted them to know enough to make them complacent and obedient to them, but not enough to influence them to fight for the freedom God promised them. Slave owners would withhold bible passages that spoke of liberation, challenging social hierarchy and imperial power. Even prayer came with the risk of being whipped. But, like usual, when facing oppression and adversity, Black people persevered. Even under threat, our ancestors found a way to give God praise. God’s word gave them hope that better days were coming. Once released from physical chains, Black people began establishing their own churches. These churches soon became pillars in the Black community, used not only for fellowship but the base for mobilizing political power and striving for justice.

Church is the place we convene to worship with others like us. We all fall short of righteousness, but God exercises grace and mercy through forgiveness to sustain us through this life. We praise him through song. Singing is putting a melody to God’s word that lightens burdens with every note. Praying is our direct communication with the Lord where we thank him for his blessings, ask for forgiveness, and make our requests. Preaching is how we get the word. Without the word, the gospel, we are nothing. The Holy Spirit moves through it all to guide us in our praise and everyday walk. Our ancestors created a culture and tradition in Black church that has been continued for decades. Why abandon it now? In a world of sin, we all need something to turn to, to lean on. At some point, you will have to rely on something more than money and mankind. It was God who delivered our ancestors from bondage. It was God who gave Dr. King strength to keep fighting while sitting in jail cells. Our history has proven that prayer works. Life has a way of showing us we need something bigger than us to survive. Don’t wait until it's too late.

“[B]ut they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Isaiah 40: 31 KJV