By Dr. John Johnson II
According to the Bible, prophets served as emissaries between the people and God. Scriptures teach us that God speaks through life experiences we encounter. They also speak of how God spoke directly with Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and countless others. Scriptures revealed that these people heard God’s voice because they had pure hearts.
An examination of scriptures tells us that God told Abram to leave his father’s household because he would become father to many Nations; Moses was told to tell the Israelites: “I AM WHO I AM;” and Elijah was told to return home and prepare another prophet called Elisha, 1 Kings 19: 15-18 Verses.
If individuals through their faith believe these things to be true, then they surely should believe that their God would and will continue to talk to those with pure hearts. However, we must all remember that a pure heart doesn’t mean one has to be free of all sins, just a believer with faith.
Remaining grounded in my faith, and the belief that God continues to talk to those who are willing to engage in a sincere conversation, I began a conversation. Since I’m sharing one of my conversations, I decided to discuss openly only three questions I asked God.
One, I asked God how can I lose weight? Immediately, subconsciously I heard a voice saying, “Consume less calories and exercise more.” This answer made sense.
Secondly, I asked God, “How could I save more money? Immediately, subconsciously I heard a voice saying, “Pay yourself first before paying creditors and never accumulate more debt than you can manage. This made sense as well.
Thirdly, I asked God, “How can Black people change their plight in life?” Immediately, there wasn’t any response. I said that I thought the agreement was that I got to ask three question. Again, subconsciously, I heard a voice saying, “If I have to answer that question you and your people can’t be helped.” I said hold up God, “you’re, Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.” God said, “Yes I’m all of those things and a bag of chips.”
God then said to me, “My son, if I have to give an answer to that question, “Black people can’t be helped.” Again, I said, “ but you’re God.” God said, “I AM WHO I AM.”
God then said, listen carefully, I’ll tell you a story. I responded, “Yes God, I’m listening.” God said, “ I came upon a man who was standing on a nail, and he asked me to relieve him of the pain in his foot.” I Said to God, “I know that he was grateful for your help. God said, “nothing was done.” I said, “no way God, you couldn’t have just walked away.” God said to me, “How could this man be helped who couldn’t understand that he merely needed to lift his foot.”
I seriously asked, “God what does this story have to do with my last question. God then told me that since I didn’t extract the intended meaning of this story, a short parable might help. God then ever so gently, yet powerfully, said “To whom shall Black people be subservient if they continue to spend all their money with other races of people?”
Listen John! But God, I never gave my name. God said, “We must surely talk more often.” God then said, “John, will Black people’s communities not remain poor if they spend their money with merchants who then take that same money and spend it within their own communities?” Those races of people who understand that charity begins at home stand to acquire more abundantly earth’s rich rewards.
God recognizing that I appeared perplexed, told me another story about Miami, Florida’s Scott’s Housing Project around 1952. I told God that I once lived in Liberty City. God politely reminded me of Omniscience. God said, “Do you remember how Black and Jewish owned stores served your community?” I said, “yes.”
Well, God said, Jewish store owners moved away using their money to build Shopping Centers and Malls. Chinese quickly moved in filling the vacant stores.
When the Chinese left taking their acquired wealth, Arabs soon occupied the same stores, even to this day. Black People abandoned patronizing Black owned stores or flocked to the Malls. Had they not allowed integration to lure them to spending their money with other races, they could’ve built Malls and even Shopping Centers, beginning within their own communities. Building Black mega churches enrich Ministers, uplift spirits, and squanders Black wealth. More Black businesses create jobs, opportunities, and Black wealth.
God then told me that when my family moved in 1954 to Bunch Park in Opa-Locka, Florida, there was a striving Shopping Center primarily comprised of Blacked own businesses; hardware stores, barber shops, Doctor Offices, a drugstore, the Bunch Theater, and etc. Integration again, caused Black people to abandon their own neighborhood stores. God said, “Sadly my son, this same situation continues to repeat itself all over America.
God never showing impatience, said, “My son, If Black people don’t know that charity begins at home and that if they continue to spend more of their money with other races, they’ll remain subservient, poor, and in despair until they heed my WORDS.
God, I apologize because I have a fourth question. I know that I said three. My fourth question is, “Why must Black people suffer so much?” God answered, “John, you need not apologize because ethnicities’ have sought an answer to this same question; Native Americans, Jews, Persians, Palestinians, Syrians, Ukrainians, and countless others.” Well, “what’s the answer God?”
God said, “John, my inquisitive son, “I’m listening God!”
God then stated, “If humankind created with love knows not the answer to this question, they’re beyond HELP. For they’ re neither of me nor believeth in me.”
God, I asked, “Are you saying humankind’s problem is simply a lack of will to choose love instead of hate?” What answers will you receive, should you decide to TALK WITH YOUR GOD?
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
