As news posts and videos circulated about the events in Ferguson with Michael Brown, I was challenged about where I put my identity.

My response to the event was 2-fold. At first I was really heartbroken. Not only for Michael Brown, his family and community, but also for the police. I instantly began praying for them all. For healing from the loss, healing from the confusion, healing from accusations, misunderstandings and the like.

As a woman of God I was thrown into compassion for the hurt and pain I see my brothers and sisters suffering with in this dying world. (1 John 2:17)

… that was my FIRST response.

Afterward, as I continued watching more videos and testimonies, I got ANGRY. I got SCARED. Why do people think it’s okay to use other human beings as targets? How can I have sons in a society that will not look upon them favorably? How can I have sons when I will have to worry about them every single day?!   My compassion for the officers, for society in general, COMPLETELY went out of the window. 

As a woman “of color”, I was very angry, hurt, confused and fearful for the future.

See the difference? As a woman of God, I began to pray. I took action. There was no fear, but only LOVE and compassion. As a woman “of color”, I sat in my anger, I let it grow and fester until it became a mix of anger, hatred, and FEAR.

This is EXACTLY what the devil wants to do… ignite and feed fears. To stir up confusion, hate, and anger and to create division among people. (John 10:10)

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks. He asked me Where do you put your identity? Where is your alliance?

I was challenged. Do I identify first and foremost as a Child of God? or as a “Black Woman”? Am I allied with the children of God, fighting to bring about His kingdom here on earth? or am I allied with my flesh and its desires? Do I live in my identity as Christ’s? or am I consumed by the identity of my FLESH?

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  – Romans 8:5-7 ESV

I’m Caribbean, and one thing Caribbean people often do is wave the flag from their country around to let everyone know where they are from and who they are representing. When I see someone else with the flag from my country, I immediately identify with them and feel a sort of kindred spirit with them. How much more should I wave my flag as a Child of God?? How much more should I desire to represent Him and identify with His people? 

Christ has purchased this identity, this freedom, life and peace for each of us. A gift freely given. We have the IDENTITY of the MOST HIGH GOD! The Creator of everything we see, touch, smell, hear and feel! He gives us the privilege of being His representatives here on earth. Let’s uphold that identity, let’s wave THAT flag, let’s grab hold of that gift of being HIS!

We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

God is making His appeal through us.