My dear friend, Reverend Carrie Hunter Bolton, former pastor and college professor, concluded her 2010 autobiography with this provocative analysis of her walk with God: “I have traveled a ways now in my journey with Him, and the Lord has been nothing but faithful and committed to me. He has taken me the low way up to victory!”
That is also the route Jesus took to victory!
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10a NLT).
The Low Way Up
As a young college student singing with the Pentecostal Fellowship Choir of North Carolina Central University, I was privileged to be in the Reflection Sound recording studio in Charlotte, N. C., where we accompanied the great gospel recording artist, Shirley Caesar, on her hit LP, “No Charge.” I observed with great interest as she explained to one of her background singers, Bernard Sterling, who was recording a solo, that he had begun the song singing much too high. “If you start way up there, where are you going to go?” she asked bluntly. “How are you going to build the song?”
What she was really saying was, to go high, you must start low. If you start high, you will likely lose your thrust and begin to sink as Bernard almost did with his solo. Now I must hasten to add that the late Bernard Sterling was one of the greatest singers I have ever known. He had a voice that could soar up to the heavens! (Listen to his version of “Give Me a Clean Heart.”) Still, he had to learn not to try starting there, but to take the low way up.
My wife and I recently launched a non-profit organization to support people who are victims of mental health trauma, especially minority youths. Many Black and Brown youth who have adverse childhood experiences (ACE), inclusive of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or other traumatic events, find themselves channeled into the school-to-prison pipeline (SPP) by or before they are in the sixth grade. Our non-profit (501c3) is called CTASO (Alton & Betty Sumner’s Children’s Trauma Awareness Organization). We are in the early stages of development, our time of small beginnings. But we know that it is a vision from God. Like Elder Bolton and especially like Jesus, our Savior and master role model, we will boldly and proudly take the low way up to victory!
What about you? Has God given you a vision of something He wants you to do? You might feel stymied by a lack of resources or support, but do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin! Get started! Get started on the low road. It leads up to victory!
Focus Quote: “He humbled himself… Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:8,9 ESV).
Keep Standing on the Promises!
SPECIAL NOTE: One of the best books I have picked up lately is Trauma-Informed Theology, by our very own GMCHC member and Ministerial Alliance colleague, Dr. Bridget P. Robinson. In his endorsement of the book, Dr. Antipas Harris wrote the following: “In a world where pain often hides behind polished pews and quiet prayers. Trauma-Informed Theology: An African American Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Tool for the Pentecostal Clergy offers a Spirit-led invitation to heal. Rooted in lived ministry, academic insight, and deep compassion, Bridget Robinson weaves trauma-informed theology into the Pentecostal context to address intimate partner violence, grief, and generational trauma.
“And please,continue to join us for our 5:14 pm prayer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Pause and pray wherever you are. Just connect to God and pray! We and many others will also be praying with you. There is power in agreement!
Blessings, Peace, and Love,
Alton
Dr. Alton E. Sumner
(301) 921-6060
Listening to the Soul! Lightening the Heart! Lifting the Spirit!
