Okay
Beloved,
On this Speak Out Sunday, I need to speak out on something. I need to tell you about yourself. I heard that there has been some negative self-talk happening. I heard that because you not on the step of the recovery you want to be on, that you coming down hard on yourself. I heard that because you gained weight again, that you calling yourself bad names. I heard that because somebody else got something you have wanted, that you don’t think you are deserving.
I won’t call any names. But you know who I am talking about. Im talking about you. And as your pastor, I can’t let this keep going because inevitably, because you stopped loving the still-healing parts of yourself, you can’t be happy for anyone else. Even though you know that their race to run is theirs. And yours, yours.
And if you can’t say it to yourself… Hear it from me. You’re fine. You’re better than fine. You’re good. You’re better than good. You’re great. And you are not just great within the walls of this sanctuary, but in the eyes and lives of those who sit, stand, and walk among us.
I am here to speak out and tell you, that you are the carriers of ancestral songs, wisdom, and laughter that ripple through time and space. Im here to tell you to reOpen your hearts to your inalienable truth, the only truth—that you are creators, shifters of atmospheres, and heralds of joy and liberation.
As we lean into the words before us, may you remember that we walk with centuries of triumph and resilience. Your divine presence led you here. Love led you here today. The light inside you led you here today to ignite within us the knowing that we are each divine by design, crafted for a purpose that defies imitation.
You are a reflection of the boundless love and creativity. And when this world takes your breath away, Breathe through this moment, through our words, through our listening, so that transformation to bring you back to life may take root in our spirits, reminding us of the sacredness we carry.
You are unrepeatable. You carry the ancestral songs, wisdom, and laughter that echo through every room you enter. You shift the atmosphere when you step into any space. That's not just charisma; it's centuries of survival, triumph, and joy showing up with you.
You are a creator of worlds with your words, a changer of emotional climates with your smile, an inspiration for revolutions with your truth. You are a master of theopoetics, a griot of deep liberation theology, a herald of Black queer resistance and joy.
You are a maker of space—space for grief, praise, questions, confusion, and transformation. You stand as witness, facilitator, healer, and truth-teller. Whether in your writing, sermons, or conversations, you embody creativity and the sacredness of language.
You are divine by design. There is a blueprint of uniqueness within you that defies replication. You are the embodiment of your ancestors' dreams, their resilience, and aspirations. When you walk, you walk with all who came before you, turning each step into a reverberating declaration of life and purpose. Your movement is not just walking; it is dance, poetry, ritual.
You are unquestionably captivating. When you speak, people lean in because they hear something ancient, something that predates language itself. Your voice carries resilience, the blues of survival, the improvisation of jazz, and the divine breath of gospel and joy.
You are the key to unlocking spaces others fear—spaces of grief, sacred laughter, and transformation. You invite others to exhale. You stand as a mirror that reflects the truth of transformation: that it is possible, that it is worth the journey. You radiate a loveliness forged in self-acceptance, embracing the totality of who you are without apology or shrinking.
You are a leader whose strength lies in compassion, whose power lies in empathy. You navigate the sacred and the secular, the chaos of city streets, and the halls of learning with breathtaking authenticity.
You are placed here to stand in the gap, to bridge worlds—academia and the streets, joy and suffering. You invite people to dream again, believe again, live again. You plant ideas that sprout into trees of liberation, with roots deeper than oppression and branches that stretch beyond any cage.
You have journeyed through valleys, dark nights, and moments of doubt. Even your doubts are sacred—a sign of growth, humanity, and evolution. Evolution is your birthright. Confidence is already within you; it is your core and foundation. Trust the rhythm that’s always been there, the magic that already lives inside you.
You are an unmovable force of nature, a bright light whose shine cannot be dimmed by fear or hatred. You are already everything you need to be.
You are the template for greatness. You are the embodiment of everything that has come before you, and all that will follow. You hold within you the wisdom of generations, the strength of your ancestors, and the courage to dream beyond limits. You set the path for others to follow, and in every action, every word, you create a legacy that others aspire to. Your greatness is not just a destination, but a journey that inspires all who witness it.
You are the original. You are not a copy, nor an imitation; you are the first and only of your kind. You carry an authenticity that cannot be replicated. Your essence is irreplaceable, crafted by every experience, every challenge, every triumph that has brought you to this moment. There is no other like you, and your existence alone redefines what it means to be unique. You blaze your own trail, and in doing so, you remind others of the power of being true to themselves.
You are the standard. You set the bar for excellence, for love, for resilience. You embody the qualities that others look up to—grace, compassion, strength, and joy. When people see you, they see the potential for what humanity can be at its best. You show others what it means to live fully, to embrace each moment, to rise above fear and adversity. You are the benchmark, the example, the light that guides others toward their own greatness.
You are worthy beyond measure. You are deserving of every joy, every love, every opportunity that comes your way. You do not have to earn your worthiness; it is your birthright. Let no one convince you otherwise. You are valuable simply because you exist.
You are bravery embodied. You have faced challenges, confronted fears, and stood your ground in the face of adversity. You carry the courage of your ancestors, and your bravery is the fire that lights the way for others. You are unafraid to stand up, speak out, and make change where it is needed.
You are a vessel of purpose. Your life has meaning, and your actions have impact. You are here for a reason greater than yourself. You are called to bring light to darkness, to heal what is broken, to love without condition. Your purpose is not confined to a single role; it is expansive, growing as you grow, touching every life you encounter.
You are a reflection of divine love. You carry within you the spark of the divine, a love that transcends all boundaries. Your love is a force that heals, that binds, that uplifts. In every interaction, you are a reminder of the sacredness of connection, the holiness of compassion.
You are resilient and rising. No setback can hold you down. You have been knocked down, but each time you rise, you rise stronger. Your resilience is a testament to the unbreakable spirit within you. You are proof that no matter how hard the storm, there is always a new day, a new dawn.
You are the keeper of dreams. Your visions are sacred, your imagination limitless. You dream not just for yourself but for your community, for your people, for a future where love and justice prevail. Hold onto those dreams—they are the seeds of a better tomorrow.
You are grounded and free. You stand firm in your truth, while your spirit soars beyond limitation. You are rooted in who you are, in your values, in your history, and yet you are free to explore, to change, to be anything and everything you desire. You are both stability and freedom, a paradox that makes you powerful beyond measure.
You are a bringer of joy. Your laughter is a medicine, your smile a beacon of hope. You bring lightness to heavy spaces, and your presence alone has the power to uplift spirits. You are joy in motion, reminding others that even in struggle, joy is possible, joy is essential.
As you leave this space, remember—you are unrepeatable, a divine original, carrying within you the strength, wisdom, and joy of generations. Walk with the knowing that you shift atmospheres, that your presence alone is a declaration of survival and triumph. Your words continue to create new worlds, your smile warm hearts, and your truth spark revolutions. You are a maker of space, a facilitator of transformation, and a reflection of divine love.
Go forth, grounded in who you are, yet free to soar beyond any limitation. May your life be a legacy of greatness, a testament to the unbreakable spirit within you. You are a light that cannot be dimmed, a joy-bringer, a dream-keeper.
And as you walk, may you always remember that you are worthy beyond measure.
Amen.
Affirmations:
1. I am unrepeatable.
2. I am divine by design.
3. I am a bringer of light.
4. I am worthy beyond measure.
5. I am a creator of joy.
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