Reasons to Celebrate in the Midst of Extraordinary Challenges

Within the span of seven days, each American has reasons to celebrate and recognize challenges before us.

On Monday, America celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His extraordinary commitment and sacrifice to bringing recognition to racial equality in America changed the course of human history. Major advancements have been made in our nation relating to civil rights due to his service and sacrifice.

Yet, it is without question, we are aware that racial challenges are still experienced in America, seemingly more than in the last many years. Each man and woman in this world has been created in the image of God and each is equal before God. Life on this earth needs to mirror what God declares.

Please do all you can with any level of influence you have  in order to show distinction and value to each person in your community and in our nation regardless of the color of their skin. Each of us need to lead forward in praying, leading, and working together to bring racial unity in America.

Another reason to celebrate in this nation is the remarkable American heritage of the peaceful transition of power in the American presidency. This Friday at 12:00 p.m. EST, America will observe this historical event. Regardless of who you voted for, Friday will once again be a remarkable day in history.

When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in and becomes the president of all Americans, he faces extraordinary challenges in our nation. While national security, economic concerns, educational challenges, social issues, and a myriad of other things are great challenges, the greatest challenge is our nation coming together as one. Each of us must do all we can to quiet the rhetoric and accusations, use wisdom, and determine that the greatest America occurs when we are not just saying, but are living as the United States of America.

Almost all people who read these words live somewhere in America and know people in America. In our relationship networks, in person or on social media, as well as in our communities, millions of us must begin to call for unity in America. We live in the greatest nation in the world, so let’s go forward in the greatest way… together.

This Sunday is the day that millions of Americans celebrate the sanctity of human life. Yes, millions of us believe that life begins at conception and each unborn child is made in the image of God; therefore, each is a life that God has created. Even as abortions are now nearing 50 million babies since 1973, we see hopeful signs of a reported fewer abortions than the year before. For this, we are grateful.

Additionally, technology has increased our potential to one day have the real story of each baby revealed before each mom’s eyes and prayerfully move them to choose life. We are also hearing a great commitment from the incoming administration to appoint pro-life justices on the Supreme Court.

Yet, while there is so much reason to have hope, we still must be vigilant to value each human life. As we stand for the value of the unborn child, we need to stand just as courageously for the quality of life for each person alive from the womb to the tomb; yes, from conception to death and burial. We must hold high this banner and not compromise any value of human life regardless of the color of their skin, the level of their resources, or the location of their dwelling in this world. It is on each of us to hold this high.

As well, we must stand with ministries that do all they can to assist and care for the moms who are in the crucible of decision-making about their pregnancy. This is critical for the future of this world in holding high human life. As well, for anyone who assists unwed or single moms with a pregnancy, churches and ministries must come alongside them and attempt to assist in their needs.

If the church does not stand for and practice racial equality, lead and call for unity in our nation, and value life from conception to death, who will?  We cannot expect politicians to do what the church is not doing.

May each choice we make as leaders and as professing Christians be a choice toward not just racial unity, but unity in America so that each human life from conception to death will be valued in the way God intended.

Now is the Time to Lead,

Ronnie W. Floyd