My Blackness is God’s Creativity and Majesty 

by Kay Baker, Birmingham, UK 

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, and someone whose ancestry is from Africa, I have often wondered whether Africans are mentioned in the Bible, what they did and how they did it and whether they were the heroes. This is important.

Well, after reading and checking secular and biblical history: yes, Africans are in the Bible. In fact, they are all over the book. A lot of the Bible is situated in Africa, and it is fascinating when you look at our ancestry from Ham and Cush. People of dark skin are definitely represented in the Scriptures! It’s unfortunate that we/Hollywood and some authors have for many years portrayed the people of the Bible only as having white or light skin. 

As a counsellor/therapist I can see the effect of this on society’s African descendants like myself, and this, of course, is in our churches. The feeling of inferiority--- that you’re not good enough and you’ll never be -- permeates our minds, thinking and feelings. 

Personally, I find sometimes I doubt how much I can do in my life as a disciple and what I can contribute to the kingdom as a black person.  I realise from looking into biblical history a little (I’m not a historian—I just like to read) that just like all races, our ancestors of colour were heroes as well as villains. Below are just a few examples: 

• Zipporah, Moses’ wife, was from Cush -- Numbers 12:1, a part of Africa
• Song of Songs 1:5 the Shulamite
• 1 Kings 10:1 the Queen of Sheba 
• Simon of Cyrene -- Matthew 27:32 Cyrene is now Libya
• The well-known Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8

There are so many more. 

My encouragement to all people of colour is to remember that we are important, special to God and He chose us as well as our brothers and sisters from other backgrounds; and to be proud of who we are, what we have achieved in the past, what is going on that is godly in our lives now and what God has planned for us in the future. 

Scriptures that are great to focus on: 

Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength….

So as the history of our black ancestors is recognised this month, Psalms 139 reminds me that: 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth….

I see that the colour of my skin is God expressing his creativity and his majesty in me.

About the author

My name is Kay Baker, I’m originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean. I now live in Birmingham UK. I became a Christian in London in 1986 and got married in 1991 to my husband who has now gone to be with the Lord. 

I work as a Teaching Assistant in a local school and I’m also a B.A.C.P registered counsellor working with adults in the community. 

I love taking photos of nature and natural life. I am convinced that God gave us nature in order to connect with us and show his love for us. For me, taking snap shots is capturing some of God’s narrative.  My plan is to one day afford a camera with lens that will allow me to capture lots more.