Because You Were…

Today’s message was written by my friend Roger Kunkel, Founder of Dial Hope.

When I was a student at Princeton Theological Seminary, I had the privilege of attending a concert by the great singer Marian Anderson. The evening’s program was brought to a close with three songs sung by Leontyne Price. Before singing them, Ms. Price paid a personal tribute to Mrs. Anderson. “My dear beloved Marian Anderson,” she said.“Because you were, I am.” In other words, the fact that Marian Anderson has succeeded in breaking the racial barrier many years earlier made it easier for Leontyne Price to be accepted as a black artist. In the same way, black athletes today can say of the pioneer baseball player Jackie Robinson, “Because you were, I am.”

Think of all the people to whom we are indebted for being what we are today. Of course, we can say to our parents, “Because you were, I am.” But think of the teachers to whom we can say, “Because you were, I am a better-educated person,” or the doctors and nurses to whom we can say, “Because you were, I am well.” Think of the many people who open doors for us, to whom we can say, “Because of you, I was able to move ahead.” Most of all, we can say to Jesus, “Because you were, and are, I am able to turn to God with new confidence in his forgiveness and acceptance. Because of you, I can face life with a new purpose, and I can face death with a new hope.”

Let us pray. God of gentle dreams and awesome space, cultivate in our own hearts a faith that is tall and sure. Create in us a spirit that overcomes hopelessness, and set us free. Amen.