A couple of Sundays ago, I heard a message about the power that God infuses into us. Among the Bible verses referenced was Philippians 4:13, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
This is a KJV amplified rendering of the more familiar, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The message was a challenge to believers who walk by faith to receive the power that God sends from Zion, enabling us to become rulers in the midst of our enemies. That is, to be leaders, overseers and achievers in the purposes of God.
With that, I began to think of how I could develop a story to apply this truth to our contemporary human experience. It came to me the next day as I attended a ceremony in Hollywood where Motown founder Berry Gordy was being honored with a street sign – “Berry Gordy Square” – at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Argyle Street where (after leaving Detroit) he had set up his vast West Coast operations nearly 50 years ago.
As the many dignitaries and celebrities in attendance took to the podium to salute Mr. Gordy for his governance and guidance in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry, they also spoke of his character as a rule of measurement – a standard of excellence!
As it was pointed out during the ‘60’s civil rights era where politics lagged, Gordy forged ahead in the midst of all the hate and prejudice; against all odds; and created not just music for Black America, but music for all America and the world!
Smokey Robinson shared a story of how he encountered at an airport, a man from Tanzania praising Motown music. Smokey said, “God ordained Motown…there will never ever be another Motown…the common bond was the love of Motown music…it broke through the color line of Black and White.”
Stevie Wonder, before singing his version of “Happy Birthday,” reminded us of how love conquers hate, and quoted former Vice President Joe Biden saying, “Hate only hides, it never goes away.”
God gives us power according to our belief and our faith, so for him to be endowed with so much power, Gordy must have proven his trust in God. To that extent, Danny Bakewell Sr., the owner and publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, said, “Brian Epstein discovered and managed The Beatles; Colonel Parker discovered and managed Elvis Presley; Berry Gordy discovered and managed The Miracles, The Supremes, The Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 and many, many more!” Now that’s power!
So, are you a ruler in your circle of influence? Do you measure up? Are you seeking God’s favor and empowerment to do His will and carry out His purposes? Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life, believe, walk in faith, and trust Him. On our journey, we all fall down (perhaps many times), but we have to keep getting back up…and keep movin’!
We salute Berry Gordy, who – recently retired – turned 90 years old on November 28, for his contribution to the world, and a job well done!!
