Black Man! I Love and Appreciate You! I hope you don't get tired of hearing that but it never gets old!
All month long we have focused on our diet. So as we wrap up this series on our diets, Black Man, let’s take a look at our most important diet. Our spiritual diet. In my opinion, no diet is more important.
I am unapologetically Christian. As boldly and proudly as a state my faith, I strongly believe that a person has a right to believe and follow whatever religion or belief system they choose. One of the best humans I have ever met is a Muslim, my dear friend Hamad Al-Fadli. Pardon me for digressing but I wanted to put out there that if your belief system enables you to be righteous, then by all means please continue to sharpen your faith! So with that being said, let’s get it!
Let me start with transparency, I wasn’t raised in the Church, so my spiritual walk and journey have been one that I had to figure out pretty much through trial and error. Along my journey, one thing that has been abundantly clear is that God has given me grace and favor at every turn. There have been too many times and situations where God is the only reasonable explanation as to why things have broke in my favor.
However, not having that religious or spiritual upbringing made me the type of person that typically called on God only when I needed him. Being that I wasn't trained up in the ways of the lord it was very easy for me to stray far from it. Leaning on my own understanding often led me to places and points in life where God was the only lifeline that I had to bail me out of a situation. Through his mercy, he has fulfilled his promise and got me out of those situations.
I laid these facts out to let you know that by no means am I approaching this as if I have it all figured out. But I was called to write and a part of my obedience is to share my story so please allow me to share a few things that I have learned from my journey that I feel can be helpful to you on your walk with God; spending alone time with the Lord, to fortify yourself with his word, and to fellowship frequently with your spiritual family.
Spend Some Alone Time With God -
Black Man, what time do you spend with God? We know that putting time into relationships is a must if we want them to bear the fruit we desire. Whether it be with your lady or your children, we understand that relationships are built through time. Our relationship with God is the same way. Whether it is a daily walk in which you get silent so you can hear his voice, driving in the car on your way to work without any music or the radio on, etc... Black Man it is of the utmost importance that you find that quiet time to listen and talk with God. It is in these moments and at these times that God reveals to us his plans for us. We just have to be consistent...
Black Man, don't overthink it, talking to God is like talking to anyone else. Now he may not answer you in ways that you are accustomed to but if you are putting in that “quality time” in your relationship, God will give you the answers that you desire. It might be a Bible verse on a license plate, or it may be overhearing a conversation of a stranger that speaks to you and your situation. I wasn’t raised in the church but my Mama always said that, "The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways." Based on the things I have been through I will say that Mama was right. But if you really want your answers, look no further than his word…
Fortify Yourself With God's Word-
Black Man, God’s word is not only the best source to find answers to the questions you ask when you spend that alone time with God, but it is also the thing that will fortify you when the enemy attacks. An attack is anything that can and will distract you from carrying out your purpose. Some attacks will be subtle some will be blatant, but no matter the magnitude, only what is in the well is bound to come up when your faith is tested and you are tasked with letting go and letting God. That is why reading God's word, via the Bible or faith-based books is a great way to strengthen your discernment and your Godly reflexes.
Gospel music and faith based movies are also things that you can do to help fortify yourself from the enemy. Now of course, I am not saying don’t listen to or read things that are of the world or secular as some would say. I am a firm believer in balance and all month we have spoken of input equals output. So I will stay on that point because most of us aren’t doing enough spiritual input, which is evidenced by our unGodly output when it is time to respond. Nope, not pointing the finger at all because I am currently in the midst of the storm and my reactions haven’t been as Godly as they should have been and for that, I am repenting. But I will be the first to tell you that I myself am getting back to where I should be in the word because had I been where I should be, when faced with situations I wouldn’t have even had the chance to react, Jesus would have taken the wheel. Let’s not forget, the Bible says that weapons will be formed against you, they just won’t prosper.
Find Strength with Fellow Beleivers-
Furthermore, the ultimate way in which we fortify ourselves is through fellowship. Not only should we be attending church, but we also need to become active within the church or mosque or whatever faith-based congregation. Black Man, fellowshipping with other brothers who are of like mind and like spirit prevents the enemy from coming to you in isolation. In Mathew 18:20 God tells us that "Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them." Black Man, find a weekly prayer partner. Pick a day with one of your friends and set aside a time once every week to spend some time in prayer.
Black Man if you are a believer, then you know the power of prayer, therefore you are more equipped to handle whatever life or the enemy presents you with when you are covered in prayer and have a "team" of prayer warriors at the frontline of your defense. Simply put, having the fellowship and support of other believers is the greatest protection possible against the enemy. And the best way to maintain that protection is being consistent, aka having a steady diet of God be it through quiet time, the multifaceted ways that we can get the word or through fellowship.
Artwork by Edwin Lester
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