Day 2 of God and Gigs devotional challenge based on the book by Allen C Paul called Your Art God’s Heart , focuses on friendships
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Finding one’s tribe is a journey often fraught with challenges, but for a black woman growing up in a predominantly white and spiritually abusive environment, that journey can be especially labyrinthine, especially within the spheres of the music industry and religious institutions.
Growing up, I was steeped in environments where I was a minority, not just in terms of race but also in terms of my values and beliefs. The music industry, lauded for its diversity, often felt like a minefield of toxic behaviors and attitudes that clashed with the integrity I sought to maintain. Similarly, the churches, which should have been sanctuaries, were marred by spiritual abuse that distorted the very essence of faith and community that they were supposed to represent.
In these spaces, I grappled with a profound sense of isolation. My difference was not just visible in my skin but echoed in my values, aspirations, and spiritual yearnings. The pressure to conform was immense; it was a world that seemed to want to mold me into a version of myself that was palatable to the masses but alien to my core.
It took an internal revolution to break free from the desire to fit into these spaces that clearly had no room for a person like me. I had to come to terms with the fact that my tribe would not be defined by the color of our skin nor by the sameness of our spiritual practices, but by the resonance of our hearts and minds. I needed to find like-minded individuals, those who not only shared my dreams and values but also respected my unique journey as a black woman navigating spaces that were not designed for me.
I learned to seek out spaces and create platforms that celebrated diversity in its truest sense, not just racially but ideologically and spiritually. I connected with others who had similar stories of marginalization and together, we formed a tribe based on mutual respect, shared experience, and the collective desire for a more inclusive and nurturing environment.
This journey has led me to understand that while the color of our skin and our spiritual beliefs are integral parts of our identities, the true essence of community is found in shared values and mutual respect. The music industry and religious communities were my starting points, but they were not where I ended. My tribe was scattered, a constellation of individuals of all races and religions, each a star shining with their own light, and when we came together, we created a constellation that mapped out a new path—one that led to acceptance, understanding, and true belonging.
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