By Jerria Martin

Martin is the Director of Hope Ministries and adjunct instructor of religion at WCCS.

 

A kindred spirit is a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to one’s own.

As a child I was taught to live my life under the conviction of Colossians 3:17, which reminds us that in whatever we do, in word or deed, we should do it in the name of Jesus.

This week I had the opportunity to volunteer with All In Sports Outreach as they led a three day basketball camp throughout our communities. The purpose of the camp was to teach the kids all about basketball and Jesus. Ironically, their mission is informed by Col 3:17 and each of the volunteers and coaches turned out to be kindred spirits. Through the years I have held several titles: president, moderator, minister and even queen, but one title I never thought I’d have is coach.

My bittersweet experiences with 6th grade basketball made this clear. Watching my great enthusiasm, yet lack of skills on the court, my elder brother told me that I had the heart and spirit of a warrior, but the hands and feet of a spectator.  Thus, remembering his words, I wondered what my responsibility might have been, assisting with All In. However, my job turned out to be quite easy and came naturally. While I didn’t know a lot about basketball, I did know a whole lot about ministry, so my task for the week was to begin the day with a pep talk in which I motivated and encouraged the kids to give their all to Jesus. By day three the kids had learned several new drills and we all were kindred spirits in Christ.

It is so important for us to be present in our communities as agents of Christ, especially in the communities plagued with symptoms of social decay: gangs, drugs, crime and violence. Many of the citizens in these communities have lost hope and respect for Selma, while many in other communities feel as if there aren’t many kindred spirits in those areas, but when we open our hearts and minds to listen to each other, we’ll find that the majority of us want the same thing, a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous city.

This goal is achievable, but it will only come to fruition through like-minded people working together to help others see their full potential to impact positive transformation. It will come through great Christian leaders taking back our communities and lifting all of Selma’s people in love, grace and peace.

Jesuit priest and author John Joseph Powell reminds us, “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”

This Independence Day let us celebrate our commonalities as we learn to embrace our differences, because there is inspirational, unifying and empowering hope in kindred spirits.