I met a couple of sister-friends for breakfast a few weeks ago. As we caught up with what was happening in each other’s lives, I noticed that we had similar challenges and had been nudged by Divine Destiny in various ways.  I left the gathering encouraged and yet reminded that my comfort zone, however cozy, can’t be my resting place. This experience was not particularly dramatic but it became more meaningful in light of what has taken place in recent weeks.

I thought about the four congresswoman of color (Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib) who were targeted with racist insults for insisting on being seen and heard.  

The 50th anniversary of the U.S. moon landing made me ponder the legacy of the three African American women (Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan) featured in the movie Hidden Figures, all of whom paved the way for that to take place in the midst of a segregated workplace.

Consider the courage necessary for these women to persevere. Can you imagine the conversations that they needed to have to keep each other from giving up? This is the power of the squad.   Your squad encourages you when you are tempted to shrink back. Your squad challenges you when you settle for less than your best. Your squad backs you up when you are under fire. Your squad celebrates with you in your victories.

Let’s go back even further and  picture a group of women standing and weeping before a cross on which their beloved Jesus Christ hung and died. 

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  John 19:25

Can you hear them asking themselves or perhaps one another, “What are we going to do now?” They would gather once again to head to the tomb only to find it empty.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Matthew 28:5-8

This squad bore witness to the resurrection and yet it is reported that some of the disciples did not believe them (Luke 24:9-11).  Nevertheless, the women could not sit by the empty tomb stuck in the stigma of being disbelieved. When you are not taken seriously in proclaiming and walking in newness of life, it is good to have a squad.

Now like never before, there needs to be a resurrection of hope. Sometimes hope withers in disappointment with personal situations and unmet expectations. Sometimes hope is buried under disillusionment with society and its institutions. What can breathe life into a hope that has been declared dead?  Sometimes that Resuscitating Wind is channeled through a squad to remind you to be fully alive.

Your Call:  How has God used a squad to speak new life over you in some way? How can you speak new life into others around you?