These are intriguing, interesting, uncertain and providential times. On the one hand it seems as though biblical Christianity is fading from the African-American cultural landscape. That’s not to say that the trappings of the faith have disappeared only a good deal of its substance. It appears to matter little to ask if individual black folks believe in God or have ‘a personal relationship with Jesus Christ’.
Someone once asked me the difference between the ministry and my former job at corporate America. I responded that in at least one way the difference is simple. In corporate America I got in at eight, left at four-thirty and for the most part the job stayed there. My evenings and all my weekends were mine to do with as I pleased. Had I wanted to advance in the company I could have worked more hours, took on extra tasks, traveled more and even sought to relocate a few times. But I didn’t have to. I could be content doing a good job, showing up with a positive attitude, working with integrity and collecting a paycheck.
About a year and half ago I caught some of ‘An Officer and A Gentlemen on one of those UHF stations. That’s the movie where Louis Gossett Jr. earned a well deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. At one point in the movie Gossett’s character catches Richard Gere’s character with contraband. After sending the rest of the squad to their first weekend pass Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (Gossett’s character) does his best to get Zack Mayo to voluntarily quit.