Ministry Moment with Michelle: FEAR
Ain't that good news? Maya Angelou, First Black woman on the quarter! Truly a "Phenomenal Woman"! Every time I hear her name I think back to November 1997. Hilton Hotel, McLean, VA. The room was filled with about seven hundred women (or so) and "distinguished" guests for our annual Luncheon Forum. At the time, I served as President of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, NOVA Chapter. Before my remarks I remember how nervous I was. FEAR had raised its ugly head once again. I had memorized "Phenomenal Woman" to recite during my remarks! At that time, I did not know the Lord like I do now. That prayer I prayed before I began would have meant a whole lot more. Because our God is Omniscient (All Knowing), and He made us in His image and likeness; He knew that I needed only HIM at that hour and He knew that He had not created us with a heart of FEAR. Shoulders back, head up, mouth opened...and it flowed. When I'm nervous now before a crowd, I have a scripture in my pocket, a Word in my heart, and Him by my side. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4 ESV That's what God says. Maya says, "Cause I'm a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me."
