Urban Thought Collective

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were ALL TOGETHER in one place.

I had intended to share my thoughts concerning Dr. Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks and talk about divorce and the church. But, my attention was drawn away this morning when the ticker on CNN read “Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, United for Change.” As I tuned in to their speeches, I thought, “WOW what a powerful moment in time and history,” and immediately the above word came to mind.

On the Day of Pentecost, it was not until the people who were of like mind and belief joined together in prayer, meditation and anticipation, that the Power of the Holy Spirit came in as “a sound like blowing of violent wind from heaven and filled the whole house…” and the people were EMPOWERED like never before. From that day forward, they were transformed and the direction of their work went to a new level.

As cliché as it may sound, there is power in being unified. It was true on the Day of Pentecost as related to us in Acts, Chapter 2, and it is even true today as Hillary Clinton made an official push to urge her supporters to support Barack Obama. I’m not so naive to dismiss that they both have special interests; however the greater goal can be all the more accomplished with their expressed coming together.

I don’t know what the future holds for this election and U.S. politics, but I don’t think we can minimize the strength of “coming together.” I believe that our lives are all the more empowered when we come together in spite of our differences in culture, ethnicity and race. That is Pentecost. I believe and have witnessed that when individuals band together on common ground for a common cause, we tap into power that allows us to rise to a new level and effect change. That is Pentecost. The Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-Apartheid Movement, Jena Six and now the Presidency Campaign 2008.

Anyone who thinks he/she can thrive in life as an island is poorly mistaken. If politicians have sense enough to set aside ego, agenda and delay personal gain for this moment in order to achieve a greater goal, maybe just maybe those of us who are on the day to day grind of life, can take a lesson from today’s events.

I once shared with a group of women, that there is Power in Partnership. What project, task, assignment, calling, idea or movement are you trying to accomplish and/or take to the next level? Here’s a thought, who are you partnered with? Who’s on your squad or not, that should be? How diverse is your team? Our communities, congregations and neighborhoods are filled with people who have superb potential for success, but fail to accomplish their goal for lack of powerful partnership.

We have huge issues to wrestle with locally as did the people who were present on the Day of Pentecost; and if we’re going to find solutions for black and brown issues; develop our poor communities, lower HIV/AIDs statistics and heal long overdue wounds, let us come together for powerful partnership.

Najuma Smith is a preacher, world traveler, writer, and proud parent. She currently serves as the full-time Sr. Pastor of St. James AME Church in Los Angeles. Unapologetically saved and full of purpose, she enjoys sharing words of encouragement with anyone who will listen, bringing a fresh look at life in light of the Word of God. Her collection of motivations and observations are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. Visit her at www.myspace.com/revjuju.