God said in Isaiah 55:7-9, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Here is a thought: What if individuals are reincarnated into the opposite race from which they died? My wife informed me that upon death, we relinquish our physical bodies and become spirits. As spirits, the concept of color is imperceptible; thus, race does not exist. I assert that our spirits require a place to wait until the return of Jesus; therefore, heaven, hell, and purgatory exist. Since all are born with original sin, and even those who are saved must still undergo judgment before entering heaven, this remains my perspective. It serves as a reminder that God’s thoughts are beyond my comprehension. Two prominent examples are immediate forgiveness and patience, qualities I often lack.
When thinking about reincarnation, I imagine that in the next life, those with certain privileges based on race might find themselves experiencing poverty to better understand what others go through. It can be hard for white people to fully grasp the experiences of minorities, because our systems are often designed to protect the dominant group. That's why they might not always see the struggles that other races face. They create the laws, hold key positions in business, and even control districts and properties that their ancestors may have acquired from others. Recognizing this can lead to a deeper understanding and empathy.
I understand that this idea might seem a bit remote, but it comes from my personal experiences growing up in America during the Jim Crow era. I saw firsthand how Black families and Indigenous peoples faced segregation, discrimination, and horrifying acts like deception, shackling, and violence—including whippings, lynching, and malnutrition—all because of their skin color. Poor jobs and living conditions, caused by unequal salaries and limited access to good education, have contributed to a system of oppression and repression, making true equality hard to achieve. Voter suppression hasn’t stopped. Even the Churches were segregated, and many of them believed that heaven was for white people. Yet, they ignored that Simon of Cyrene, a black man, helped Jesus carry the cross. Reflecting on these experiences makes me realize that my thoughts are more about deep emotional connections than anything else.
Throughout American history, some moments define not only the past but also continue to shape our present. Crispus Attucks was the first American to lose his life in the American Revolution, symbolizing courage and sacrifice. Oliver Cromwell, the brave black soldier, crossed the Delaware with George Washington, exemplifying heroism. Despite the incredible contributions of Black Americans—like the Tuskegee Airmen, who famously did not lose a single bomber during World War II and yet were denied Congressional Medals of Honor—their efforts often go unrecognized. It wasn't until 2007 that many of these heroes received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., while the Medal of Honor remains the highest military award. Sadly, racism continues to hold back America’s progress, but recognizing these stories reminds us of the ongoing journey toward equality. Even the first elected Black President did not receive the respect he deserved; however, the inappropriate conduct of the current President is predominantly overlooked. America can elect felons, even though felons cannot vote.
Vengeance belongs to the Lord, who is always in control. Rest assured that everyone will be judged at the right time. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was raised from the dead by God's power, and that the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, will stay with us forever. We’ve got to get ourselves together, people, or most of us will be headed for some rough landings.
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