See Me

See Me

Having heard the scripture, I would like to preach to you this morning from the topic "See Me."

It was on this day, July 5th, 1852, when Frederick Douglass delivered a keynote address which would become one of his most infamous speeches titled, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Standing in a room full of Americans, he proclaimed: "The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, independence bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine."

Douglass questioned the hypocrisy of being asked to speak in celebration of independence for a country that still upheld the institution of slavery. As I spent the last few weeks listening to news stations discuss all of the celebrations planned for this 250th anniversary, I wondered what would Douglass think. While this country has grown older, it does not appear to be wiser. I am troubled. Where laws are being passed to prevent access to health care, food, education, and voting, I question what of this country's democracy still exists. What do we do when oppression comes dressed in legislation? When freedom isn't so free for everyone?

Daniel's Story: A Pattern of Resistance

Perhaps this morning's text might help us. Here we have Daniel—a man who was brought to Babylon as a young captive from Jerusalem, dragged from his home as a teenager. He has been trained in the ways of Babylon, forced to learn a language that is not his, a culture that is not his, and a system that is not meant for his people.

Yet, despite his experience of captivity, some 70 years later, he has worked his way to the top. King Darius wants to promote Daniel to head administrator, making him second only to the king. The satraps and high officials, fueled by jealousy and envy, decide to take Daniel down. They convince King Darius to establish a law banning prayer to any god.

When Daniel, who prays every day, learns of this law, he goes home. But he doesn't hide. He doesn't close the blinds so no one can see in. Instead, he goes to the upper room where the window is open toward Jerusalem and continues to pray. It is almost as if Daniel was telling the satraps and high officials: "See me."

In that moment, I believe Daniel had a see me mentality.

What "See Me" Really Means

I was raised by a see me mama. Growing up, I was an active student—class president, cheerleading, junior stewardist. You name it, I did it. With that came some haters, some detractors. They would always have something to say about who I was and what made me so special.

On one occasion, I became so frustrated that I told my mother I didn't want to go back to school. Her response was: "You don't let anybody stop you from doing what you're supposed to do. You go in there, do what you have to do, and if anybody has a problem with it, you tell them they can come see me."

The phrase "see me" is not an invitation to look at one's physical appearance. Rather, see me is a statement of resistance. It says: I am standing my ground. No matter what you say, no matter what you do, and no matter how you feel, I will not be moved.

So, church, might I suggest that as we continue navigating these volatile and tumultuous landscapes, you're going to need to get you some see me and keep it on you at all times.

Three Things About a "See Me" Attitude

1. It Requires You to Know Who You Are

Under King Darius, everyone had a role. Yet the satraps and high officials abandoned their duties to stop Daniel. And because they cannot go after his work, they go after his identity.

The satraps and high officials were people of the Medo-Persian society, which was polytheistic. But Daniel's worship exposed his identity. Praying three times a day while facing Jerusalem was a specifically Jewish practice. Without knowing Daniel, if you saw a man praying three times a day facing Jerusalem, nine times out of ten he was a Judean.

The problem was that the Judeans were of a conquered people. The Israelites had been conquered by Babylon, and Babylon had been conquered by King Darius. So while King Darius saw Daniel as an excellent worker to be promoted, the satraps saw just another one of those Judeans about to take one of their positions. Jealousy will make you lose focus.

You know the type—the ones who won't admit you're more qualified, so they say you got your degree because of affirmative action. They won't admit you perform well, so they say you don't present well because your hair is unprofessional. They won't say they're intimidated by your confidence and ambition, so they say "he's aggressive, she's angry, they're arrogant."

But Daniel knew who he was. In fact, God gave him favor, knowledge, skill, and understanding. When you know who you are and what you bring to the table, some things just don't move you.

In a time where the marginalized continue to be attacked based on identity, sometimes you have to remind yourself: "I know who I am. I know I'm a child of God. I know what God has placed inside of me. I know who I am."

2. It Requires the Character to Remain Committed

Verse 10 opens with one important word: when. In biblical grammar, "when" is a temporal marker indicating that circumstances are changing. Yet according to the text, Daniel's actions remain the same. Daniel prayed as he had previously done.

There's a difference between discipline and consistency. Discipline is training—the ability to do a thing. Consistency is doing it no matter the circumstance. Consistency is a matter of character.

Companies can be disciplined in consumer marketing but lack consistency in community commitment. Politicians can be disciplined in policy but lack consistency in principles. Some justices can be disciplined in the judiciary but lack consistency in justice.

For decades, Daniel has been disciplined in the ways of the empire. But for as long as Daniel has been watching over the kingdom, Daniel has also been watching the works of God. When Daniel is praying and giving thanks, he's looking back over his life, remembering how consistent God has been.

In chapter one, God preserved Daniel when he didn't eat the king's food. In chapter two, God gave Daniel the dream interpretation. In chapter three, God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. In chapter four, He brought down Nebuchadnezzar. In chapter five, with writing on the wall, He brought down all of Babylon.

From Daniel 1 through Daniel 5, despite changing circumstances, Daniel had an unchanging God.

With the state of this country, sometimes I have to look back at the history books and remember how consistent God has been. The same God who called Moses gave us Harriet Tubman to set the enslaved free. The same God who called Jeremiah led Martin Luther King and Bayard Rustin to speak truth to power. The same God who appointed Deborah gave us Pauli Murray to strategize Brown v. Board of Education.

I wasn't always disciplined with prayer, but God is consistent in answering. I wasn't always disciplined with going to church, but God is consistent with showing up. I wasn't always disciplined with my choices, but God was consistent with protecting me. I'm not always disciplined with my money, but God is consistent in providing. I'm not always consistent with my attitude, but God is consistent with grace. I'm not always disciplined in having faith, but God is consistent in keeping His promises.

Sometimes you can dot all your eyes and cross all your tees and do everything right, but it still goes left. But I give thanks for a God who's consistent in turning some things around and shaking some things out to work for my good. He may not come when I want Him to, but He's always right on time. God is consistent.

3. It Results in Knowledge That Provokes Change

When I tell you my mother said "see me" and you don't know who my mother is, it has no impact on you. You might walk into that lion's den. But if you know who my mother is, then you know what that means. You're likely to think twice about what you're going to do before you do it.

You have the knowledge to know that when you see me, you see more than just one person. Behind me is a father and a mother. They don't play about me, and I don't play about them.

Daniel's see me attitude comes with the same repercussions. His see me attitude allows God to have a "know me" moment.

Despite the law banning prayer, Daniel keeps praying. The satraps and high officials watch him, report him to the king, and he is arrested and thrown into the lion's den. But on the next day, when they roll the stone away, they hear Daniel say, "My God sent an angel to shut the mouth of the lion." Daniel steps out without a scar or wound—just as whole as whole can be.

Darius says, "Wait a minute. That's your God? I want to know your God. In fact, let me issue a decree so that everybody knows the living God."

When you see me, know there's a God who redeems. When you see me, know there's a God who delivers. When you see me, know there's a God who heals. When you see me, know there's a God who restores. When you see me, know there's a God who sustains. When you see me, know there's a God who carries. When you see me, know there's a God who covers. When you see me, know there's a God who liberates.

A Question for Our Time

As I stand here, just a 15 minutes walk from where our ancestors were bought and sold, and just a 30 minute drive from where leaders have abandoned post, I only have one question.

Where Douglass's speech raised the question, "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?" I want to know: What to God is there make America great again?

Before you get ready to answer, just know my God told me to tell you: See me.