Written by First Lady Shanan C. Burress
Posted March 20, 2025
The news is WILD right now! I don’t know how many of you have been watching or reading the news as of late, but the things that are happening in the world right now often make me feel as though I am living in a movie. But these real life events are happening in real life even though they seem so exaggerated and scripted.
Although I attempt to avoid consuming too much of the local and world news, I do catch the headlines of big things happening. The most recent big headline was regarding segregation being back.
I was so confused reading this and honestly still can’t wrap my head around how the world is going to look in the near future.
In some of the spaces that I occupy, I am the minority race. Although it’s obvious, I try not to pay too much attention to it because I believe that as I am in God’s will, He has strategically placed me where I am for a reason and for a season. Never mind that I’m the only black person there or one of few black people there. If God placed me there, I’m there!
It’s taken a while to grow to that level of confidence but I know that God is within me and therefore I cannot fail. But let’s be real, my confidence is not ignorance or oblivion to think that I am welcome in all spaces. Even though I feel I belong there, doesn’t mean that I am embraced. You may not be welcomed or embraced in every space. Within the Kingdom of God, you are welcome!
As a black middle aged woman, I realize some people don’t think much of me when they see me. Some may even refer to the fact that I am a black middle aged woman as “strikes” against me. Whatever your characteristics are, don’t fall victim to believing what the world says about you. Remind yourself daily of what God says about you.
God does not care that I am a middle aged black woman. It does not matter to God that I’m from Pontiac Michigan. Society may try to segregate me or ban me from certain spaces but I am certain that nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus.
People will try to make you feel inferior or that you have too many “strikes” against you to qualify to receive the love of Jesus Christ but that is WRONG! The world might see you as one thing or one way but I believe that Christ sees me a different way.
Romans chapter 8, verse 35 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Who can separate ME (this black, middle aged woman from Pontiac Michigan) from the love of Christ.
My skin color does NOT separate me from the love of Christ.
My age does NOT separate me from the love of Christ.
My gender does NOT separate me from the love of Christ.
My body type does NOT separate me from the love of Christ.
Verse 37 of Romans chapter 8 goes on to say, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” So basically, none of that stuff is going to separate me from the love of Christ. Nor will any of those things separate you from the love of Christ. As a matter of fact, in spite of those things, overwhelming victory is ours!
I wholeheartedly believe that my age, gender, race, social class, or any other factor will ever separate me from the love of Christ. The love of Christ never ends. The love of Christ never fails. The love of Christ is perfect.
Today, regardless of what you see on the news that says we will be or are already segregated, stand confidently knowing that you are NEVER separated from the love of Jesus Christ!
