Reverend Beverly A. Scott-Fears
Isaiah 42:9 (NIV)

“See, the former things have take place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

We Got Next
Day 28: Counting down to our Jubilee! 

Visually and symbolically “Sankofa is expressed as a mythic bird that flies forward while looking backward with an egg, symbolizing the future, in its mouth. This bird is said to be from the country of Ghana; with its head always turned backwards, thus “facing the past”, expresses an old African adage, “Always remember the past for therein lies the future…”

In August of 2007, I had the distinct pleasure of traveling to Ghana, West Africa with our beloved Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., and a group of Trinitarians. As the Sankofa bird, I was able to reflect back, gazing upon the “Free South Africa” sign that peeked my curiosity in August of 1982. On the fifth day of this trip, we found ourselves at Cape Coast, standing in the bowles of the Slave Dungeons, where the spirits of our ancestors spoke vividly to our spirits and we were transformed. We must look back; remain present; and declare, We Got Next!

As we reflect upon our 50th year of Jubilee, it is imperative the we rejoice in the past, “look how far we’ve come”; and marvel at the “new things” God has declared! God told Isaiah the He would be doing something new! Foreshadowing the coming Messiah, the Savior of the world! That good news alone should keep us ever rejoicing and proclaiming, We Got Next!

Prayer 

Lord God, keep us ever joyful as we look towards each day with grand anticipation and resolve that we serve a true and living God. Encourage our hearts to be ever hopeful as we reflect upon our past, present and future, as we imagine you in a new way. Endow us with the tenacity to declare “We Got Next!”

Thought for the day 

Sing to the Lord a new song. Let joy resonate in your hearts! Let it be contagious! “We Got Next!”