Mary Maclead Bethune (1875-1955) is listed as one of the 100 most influential black American women. She actively worked in getting herself educated, then, when her hopes of becoming a missionary to Africa were denied, she set up a school and a hospital in Florida that ensured black Americans were supported. She was also a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt and a key Presidential advisor.
This was the impact of John 3:16 upon her life.
‘With these words [John 3:16] the scales fell from my eyes and the light came flooding in. My sense of inferiority, my fear of handicaps, dropped away. “Whosoever,” it said.
No Jew nor Gentile, no Catholic nor Protestant, no black nor white; just “whosoever.” It means that I, a humble Negro girl, had just as much chance as anybody in the sight and love of God. These words stored up a battery of faith and confidence and determination in my heart, which has not failed me to this day.’
Eternal life is not something that only happens in the distant future in heaven. It is about powerful change and freedom in our lives, here and now. It is about forgiveness helping us to live with our vulnerabilities and our failings. It is about faith active in love.
We never have to earn God’s love. It’s a given. There are times when we need to work through the consequences or impact of what we have done. There are also times when we need to seek healing and understanding for the wrongs done to us. But these things are always done gently, and in love. John 3:16 works.
