Unlocking Our Collective Power

"None of us are free until all of us are free." - Anna Julia Cooper

Does the world still await a messiah? Anticipating the messiah as foretold by the elders of old, we live in a time of hope and greed, good and evil. The necessity of one’s circumstance often outweighs the consequences of sin.

Born into a world of both hope and hardship, we endure difficulties while yearning for a savior. We are a race fine-tuned to endure hardship, lying in wait for the Messiah to save us. We expect a Messiah as foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 9:6-7), “whose government shall be upon his shoulders” and “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”

How do we know that the Messiah has come, or who this person is? In a time where belief has been monetized and miracles have become mere parlor tricks, what do we do? When will the Messiah come, and how long do we have to wait? These questions burden the soul while we continue to suffer, survive, and strive. We sin, but it is a normality in the road of struggle. Flesh is eaten and blood is drunk, brothers betray brothers, and wives fornicate. We know what is wrong, but we cannot afford to starve.

How do we change? What must we do to evolve? Humans enslave each other, creating divisions and inequalities. We waste resources while others starve, and rights are constantly violated. Yet, we often wait passively for a savior.

Who is the Messiah? I could be the Messiah and not know it; you could be the Messiah and not know it. We all could be, and not know. Why? Because we have been conditioned to suffer, survive, and strive. Blame and allegations are thrown around, but nobody is ready to bell the cat. The average man laments untold hardships and curses his representatives, forgetting he represents himself first.

In a society that awaits a messiah and lacks accountability, the devil lurks and makes deals. Man takes delight in power, for in power there must be the weak. The strong are happy to rob and kill the weak, for the weak are ready to obey the strong until a messiah comes and liberates them. In darkness, the light shines brightest, so the average person must shine in darkness. Man must accept that he is the Messiah for himself and his community and work towards growth in all aspects. Man must learn not only to strive but also to develop his environment and fight for his rights and those of his community.

Man must recognize who the enemy is and understand what it means to be the Messiah. Is man an enemy or an enabler of this Messianic prophecy? Blind faith in a savior hinders societal progress, creating opportunities for exploitation. We must identify the true barriers and pursue a path led by capable leaders who represent the community's goals. Having the right leader doesn’t mean we have found the Messiah; it means we believe in the universe that gives us life and holds us as its children. It means we understand the need to evolve and ascend to the next stage of our evolution.

Just as the Homo genus evolved into Homo heidelbergensis, splitting the evolution cycle into the Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, with the latter surviving into our current species, man must evolve beyond himself. He must see that he and the Messiah are one and the same. While in this same state, they are two separate entities in contrast, locked in an eternal battle of strength and truth.

Is man ready? Is man ready for the truth and the consequences of lies? I doubt the credibility of man and implore him to stand bold, strong, and tall. We must understand the need to individually take up the mantle and make the solemn choice of truth or evil. In making this decision, we must understand what is required of each and every one of us. Just as John F. Kennedy once said in his presidential inaugural speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” we must understand that the choice is a decision of action and service aiming for collective advancement.

Nelson Mandela fought tirelessly for racial equality, dismantling apartheid through non-violent resistance. Malala Yousafzai defied threats to advocate for girls' education, inspiring a global movement. These individuals identified problems and championed solutions, paving the way for a better future. Or look at the life of a community organizer who advocates for better education; these people understand why man must grow and the need for society to evolve, living beyond oneself. Were they divine? Who knows? They understood the mission, identified the enemy, and saw the need to develop.

We must take action both individually and collectively in this critical space-time race. As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." It's time to educate ourselves on local issues, volunteer our time and skills with organizations striving for positive change, and support social entrepreneurs and businesses addressing social problems.

Speak up against injustice whenever you see it. Even small actions can contribute to a larger movement. Imagine a world where resources are shared equitably and everyone has equal opportunities. We can achieve this by supporting policies that promote social justice and economic equality. By investing in education and healthcare, we can empower individuals to break free from poverty and discrimination.