I Change Gonna Come

A Change Gonna Come. "A Change Is Gonna Come" written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It initially appeared on Cooke's album Ain't That Good News, released mid-February 1964

The song was inspired by various personal events in Cooke's life, most prominently an event in which he and his entourage were turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana. Cooke felt compelled to write a song that spoke to his struggle and of those around him, and that pertained to the Civil Rights Movement and African Americans. The song contains the refrain, "It's been a long time coming, but I know a change gon' come."

Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, "A Change Is Gonna Come" is widely considered Cooke's best composition and has been voted among the best songs ever released by various publications. In 2007, the song was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, with the National Recording Registry deeming the song "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

When you listen to the lyrics you understand why.

I was born by the river, in a little tent Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since

It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will

It's been too hard living But I'm afraid to die 'Cause I don't know what's up there Beyond the sky

It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will

I go to the movie And I go downtown Somebody keep telling me Don't hang around

It's been a long A long time coming But I know, a change gonna come Oh, yes it will

Then I go to my brother And I say, brother, help me please But he winds up, knockin' me Back down on my knees

Oh, there been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able, to carry on

It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will

We are still waiting for significant changes in United States. As we close out African American History Month i am ever mindful we are still waiting on change that will finally lift the African American of perpetual poverty, gross mistreatment, constant oppression. When you think that in 1937 the senate finally introduced an anti lynching law to stop blacks from being lynched and it failed to pass. Similar legislation the Emit Till Anti Lynching Act was blocked in the Senate in 2020 said we still have a problem.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was also about change. It was about personal change. Its connected because society will never change until each us take personal responsibility for change in ourselves. As with the letter to the Corinthians this letter to the Ephesians speaks about personal change and responsibility. I believe a change is gonna come but it will and must begin with the Church! Society is cruel! We have folks trying to over turn the government, we have people in our community doing car jacking and murders without any consideration. The world has gone completely crazy but we must not become complicit in these actions. Paul said 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Eph 4:17–19).

We Have Learned a Better Way

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, (Eph 4:20–21). He urges his readers not to fall back into the patterns of thinking and behaviour of their former Gentile way of life, a lifestyle that is subsequently painted in dark colours

We need to be reminded 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:13–14).

He said to the Thessalonians 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (1 Th 2:12).

Since we Learned a Better way we must act a better way

21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires (Eph 4:21–22).

When we are in Christ we have become new creatures! The old things have passed away all things have become new! When Paul discusses behavior he often uses words such as beseech, appeal, urge In 1 Cor 10  He says, I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. (1 Co 1:10).

Just as we demand justice and equity we ourselves must have intro reflection to see where we need to mature. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Ro 1:18).

We have a list of things to do in our effort to bring Change

Paul says 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Eph 4:23–31).

President Biden has a slogan Build Back Better we too can Build Back Better! We have to let the Holy Spirit be the author of our CHANGE!

Finally The Change the Lord is looking for

Be Kind to one another

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:32).

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:12–14).

Peter said it this way: 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

(1 Pe 3:8–9).