Harriet: Trusting God's Voice Into Freedom - Black Church (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In the hush of a moonlit night, Harriet Tubman stood on the banks of the Choptank River, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and freedom. Behind her walked the weary souls she had guided, each step laden with the gravity of their past, each breath filled with a flicker of hope. Harriet had learned to trust a voice far deeper than her own understanding. As she navigated the treacherous swamps of Maryland, she didn’t rely on the visible path before her; instead, she listened intently to the whispers of God that charted a course through darkness.

"I never lost a passenger," Harriet often declared, her voice steady, grounded in a faith that transcended human logic. In the face of danger, when the crack of a twig might signal a pursuer, she would sense fear rising in her followers. Yet, just as the stars illuminated the night sky, so too did the assurance of God’s presence guide her footsteps. When the world screamed that slavery was a permanent state, Harriet’s heart echoed the promise of shalom—a profound peace that comes from knowing God’s deliverance is always within reach.

The Black Church has carried this legacy of fervent trust through generations. When society insisted that freedom was unattainable, faith stepped boldly into the unknown, filling the void where logic faltered. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to “lean not on your own understanding.” This is not merely advice; it is a lifeline for those whose understanding has been shaped by oppression. So today, as we gather, let us remember Harriet's journey and the indomitable spirit of a people who, against all odds, have trusted the liberating God who leads us through the impossible. As we lean into His guidance, let us embrace the path unfolding before us, filled with hope and vibrant possibility.