Success in the Battle of Life

Joshua 1:6-9; 24:14-15

Mentored by Moses, Joshua feasted on the Book of Law as the Word of God, prospered and gained success in the battle of life. Leading the people of God into worship beyond the River of the place of their forefathers, Joshua challenged them to make up their minds to worship the gods of their forefathers or the gods of the Amorites or come unto the blessings worshipping God. One thing for sure, he knew that the key to success in the battle of life was to obey the commands of God, being "strong and very courageous". At some point in life a stand has to be taken, even when it is to be taken alone or with family. In his farewell address, Joshua announced that " ... as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."

The battles of the Civil Rights Movement have been many. The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. has been known to say: "We never won a battle we fail to fight, and we never lost a battle we fought." The current generation of leaders in the Civil Rights Movement are agents of change facing old issues. Still on the table for discussion are among other things: housing foreclosures, student loans and credit card debts, the needs of the poor, political prisoners, heath care and heath disparities, etc. The battles are many, and the fight for social change often has few agents of change. People are often afraid to be change agents. Some times best of workers become tired or frustrated with the process or time requirements to change. Endurance and other attributes of power must abound in the courageous champions of social change.

Being successful as change agents in the social arena requires knowledge of the laws and facts surrounding life, strength to with stand those who oppose change to unjust laws, and courage to make change were change is possible. Change is still necessary in rural areas of the United States of America. Agricultural Secretary Tom Valsack announced the availability of $449 million to 128 businesses in rural areas of the nation. This represents the ability for persons with good ideas and valid skills to access the capital necessary to making positive change. People who have the right ideas, and recognize their weaknesses may hire persons more skilled as mentors to aid in their success with the capital being available. This is a project of hope for rural areas of the nation.

What about your concerns? No idea has to be a failure. The failure is in not trying to fulfill the dreams birthed from the idea. You have an idea? Gather all you need to know about the facts surrounding your idea. Then, negotiate and network with person able to help with the facilitation of your ideas. Sharpen your skills in the area of concern, and go for the bucks to make it happen. There are many ways to seek funding, so research until you settle on the best means for you. Above all of this, remember who to serve and worship.

The keys to success are not the monies or the popularity. The keys to success in the battles of life are: 1) Respect for God and the creativity given to you, 2) Striving to the fulfillment of the promise for your endeavor, 3) Recalling the teachings of your mentor, 4) Working the plan, so that the plan works for you, and 5) Be strong and courageous in taking the leap of faith. Victory may not be seen in the beginning. Holding on to the directives for success and working to bring about the changes necessary will lead into the fulfillment of the promise.

Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. buried his only son, brother of his only daughter, in January of 2004. Bernard, Jr. was gunned down by two carjackers as he was driving home following a work day. His wife with two alive children was five months in pregnancy with who is now Bernard, III. How my brother survived such a destruction to the life of his son and disruption to the family is known to me. He survived by faith. The faith that I discovered at the age of eleven, when Bernard my second elder brother was sixteen and thought to be at risk of death with cancer. Following an operation in Columbia, SC, Dr. Spain determined that Bernard would have to have a second operation, which would disfigure his face at the least. My parents then brought him to New York City and entered him into the hospital system of which I am currently in partnership as a therapist and local church pastor. However, in 1966, I was just a little brother wanting his elder brother to live.

So, on the day of his operation, I arose from bed in the home of the local church members my parents entrusted my oldest brother and me to stay with as while they were in NYC. Before going to school, I knelt down on my knees and prayed a prayer I have never forgotten and never stated to Bernard: "Lord God, don't let my brother die. Do not allow his face to be disfigured. He is so much better than I am. Let him live and take my life. Mother needs him. But, thy will be done. So, if he is to die, grant me the strength to live for both of us. I promise to be good. And, if you allow both of us to live, I promise to preach for you all of my days. Please Lord, hear my promise (following the Lord's Prayer, I said: Amen). I left school early that day and rushed back to the member's house. Later the call came that Bernard was not only alive, but his face was not disfigured and they went in through the same incision with no cancer found. We fought the battle of life with faith in God, and we won.

The cowards, who shot my nephew did not grant us the change to fight with the sword of the spirit. Yet, they could not destroy the faith of my brother or others in our family. When I work on Saturdays with a movement to free persons, who are unjustly imprisoned, I work with a transforming faith. When I walk the streets of New York City in the heat of the nights, I travel with a Slavic faith. This is the faith that yields success in the battle of life. It is strong and courageous faith. Believing that prayer changes things and people. A faith my nephew had to have in the midst of opposition to his life. I pray to God that my life will be a witness to his victory over death, because I believe. "Bernard, Jr., like you, Uncle Luonne is standing strong and courageous in the faith."

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy as I heed your command to cry no more, and take a stand for righteousness and justice so as to prosper and succeed in the battles of life. Amen.