I want to thank, Rev. Dr. Douglas Sands and Rev. Dr, Barbara Sands along with the “Preachers Hall of Fame” for including me in the awards ceremony this year.
When I first saw the beautiful “Leadership Award” with the picture of Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King, Jr, my name mentioned that close to these people of such courage and sacrifice. I felt unworthy, to be mentioned in their company, which led me to ask myself, if I would have had the courage to step up as they did at that time, and I found myself not being able to confirm that I would.
The two words that came to mind were courage and sacrifice.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Courage as the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
 
Sacrifice: To suffer the loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end.
Biblical Courage
“Trusting God, even when my doubts and fears want to be in charge.”
I found some comfort in,
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
 
I found peace in this because Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King had done the heavy lifting and they had overcome that world, at that time. Thank God we don’t have to face what they faced.
But this does not mean that we can afford to fall asleep or become complacent.
As Black Americans we are faced with the very rights that Harriet and Martin had the Courage to fight for, being threatened every day. We must not be silent but find the courage to stand and act.