This week, as we continue our journey through the writings of the apostle Paul, we remember a pastor whose life embodied a faith that God is present in uncertain and difficult times: Howard Thurman.
Born in 1899 in Daytona Beach, Florida, Thurman grew up in the shadow of slavery. His grandmother, Nancy Ambrose, had been enslaved and shared stories of her faith and resilience with him as a child. Those stories shaped Thurman’s understanding of Christianity as a faith rooted in the presence of God with those who endure suffering.
From an early age, Thurman experienced both the pain of injustice and the power of spiritual resilience. He went on to become one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century, serving as a professor, author, and pastor. He was a spiritual mentor to many leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For Thurman, faith was not just about what we believed; it was about how we lived. He believed every person carries the image of God and that the Christian life calls us to recognize and honor that sacred worth in ourselves and in others. He often wrote about the importance of listening for God’s presence within us, especially in seasons when fear, uncertainty, or suffering might tempt us to lose hope. One of his most famous quotes states, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
In many ways, I hear Thurman’s story in the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians. Paul writes this letter from prison, a place that could have looked like the end of his ministry. Instead, Paul sees God at work there. His chains have not stopped the gospel; in unexpected ways, God gave Paul new opportunities for hope, witness, and courage.
Howard Thurman lived in a world where the realities of racism and inequality were painfully clear. He could not know how the struggles of his time would unfold or how much change would come in his lifetime. But he continued to believe that God was present, calling people toward love, justice, and reconciliation.
As our nation honors its 250th anniversary, stories like Howard Thurman’s invite gratitude and reflection. We give thanks for the ideals of freedom, equality, and human dignity. We also remember that the work of building a more just and compassionate society remains unfinished. Thurman reminds us that faithfulness calls us to courageously participate in the healing work God continues to do among us.
Courage is not having every answer or knowing exactly what comes next. Courage is trusting that God is already present on the road ahead. It is taking the next faithful step, seeking the good of our neighbors, and believing that Christ’s love is still at work, even in the uncertain places.
Peace,
Pastor Katie
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