As a Black Christian woman whose ancestors endured slavery, the great depression, and the crack epidemic, I feel like the Floridian we all mock on the news for sheltering in place during a category-five hurricane. I'm not going anywhere or burying my head in the sand. On the contrary, I'm using my voice to raise awareness of what's happening worldwide and brainstorm solutions.

As present-day disciples of Jesus Christ, participation in God's justice mission requires developing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to build healthy relationships and act on behalf of those who are poor, disadvantaged, or oppressed. While Christians cannot repay Jesus for his teachings or his sacrifice on the cross, believers can honor Jesus by paying it forward.

When the odds are stacked against you, holding onto your faith in God is the only way to win. Although we might experience many troubles on this earth at the hands of structural sin, we don’t have to fear. Instead, we can take the next hopeful step toward progress by grounding ourselves in God's promises and standing for the inalienable justices we deserve. 

Because fear, distrust, and envy were the ingredients Willie Lynch and the founding fathers used to control and enslave us, we must combat that by cultivating a spirit of genuine faith and friendship.

What better way to start than following Jesus' example and looking to the Scriptures to learn how?