As I reflect on how many of us as Indigenous people have contributed to the highest set of statistics, in a variety of social ills, I'm left with many thoughts. It makes me think more deeply about all the obstacles to success we as have faced throughout North America. So many different tribal groups and so many souls. When I do think more deeply about all we've been through over the last 500 years, my own life fits part of those higher statistics. It's a process of reflection that's bittersweet.
The holy scriptures in Psalm 34:4–6 (NLT) says, "I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles."
All of us have faced so many fears either in the past or currently. So how do we deal with this issue?
As I've gotten to know more and more of my fellow Indigenous people, I've come to really appreciate listening to their life stories. A lot of the people I've gotten to know are part of the Christian community. They attend church on a regular basis and they're not afraid to tell people they're a believer in Creator Jesus. These people have had many things happen to them that they could use as excuses of why they shouldn't move forward and reach their full potential-but they haven't used those excuses to stop them.
The psalmist says he looked to the Lord and the Lord answered. Then the Lord took those fears away. It's hard for us to find someone to talk to who really listens to us, someone who acknowledges our concerns and then actually does something about those concerns. Yet, with the Lord this is exactly what happens. He listens and answers.
Another thing I love about this passage from Psalm 34 is that it wasn't just one person who experienced this. It says "they" looked to Him. It says their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed.
What I love about Indigenous People as a whole is that they're so focused on community. It's not just about the individual, but life is all about community. One lady, who's like an elder to me, talks about how she is involved in the Indigenous community as part of her job. She works with children and teenagers. She loves building into the lives of these young people. She talks about how even though many of them are taught about more traditional teachings that they don't understand a lot of those teachings. These young people are searching for answers to many of life's questions.
In this scripture, the psalmist also said the Lord saved him out of all his troubles. It seems the troubles the psalmist felt came from all his fears.
My friend has had many fears as she's lived and experienced many situations in life. She says in her work, sometimes she works with people who are more traditional in their beliefs, and they look down upon her because she's a believer in Jesus. Yet, she doesn't let that stop her.
She says there are still many people who are kind to her and accept her as she is. She faces her fears. knowing the Lord is on her side, helping her. She's not doing it alone. She relies on the Lord and because of that she's reaching her full potential. She's making her community better. She's trying to help these young people with whatever fears they have too.
Allow your heart to be healed through facing your fears. We don't all have to be part of the high statistics that are associated with Indigenous people. Even if we have been part of those higher statistics, we don't have to stay there. Face your fears, allow your heart to be healed and restored, and move forward with joy shining across your face.
Parry Stelter is originally from Alexander First Nation, part of Treaty Six Territory. He is author, speaker, Bible teacher, doctoral candidate, and workshop facilitator. Visit his website at http:/www.wordofhopeministries.ca
