Devotional – February 28, 2025

This is my friend, the Rev. Dr. George E. Young Sr.  I met George in 1988 when we were both in the chaplaincy program at OU/Presbyterian Hospital/VA/Children’s Hospital.  George was then, as he is now, a gregarious, warm, funny person.  

He is currently Senior Pastor of the Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. George has also served both in the Oklahoma House of Representatives (99th District) and in the Oklahoma State Senate (48th District).  He has an extensive education, with a masters in Business Administration, a Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, and a Doctor in Ministry from Phillips as well.  

I highlight George today because he exemplifies for me the epitome of Black History in the State of Oklahoma.  As one who knows him, I wish everyone had the opportunity to know him very well.  I cannot imagine how many difficulties he has had to overcome to be taken seriously by other politicians.  But George has stood firm, insisting that commissions and boards in our state politics be representative of the population of our state, with emphasis on black, Hispanic, and women representation.  

As the book of Deuteronomy begins, God is speaking to all Israel in the wilderness beyond the Jordan River.  The Israelites, according to the words God is to have said through Moses, have spent long enough at Mt. Horeb.  Now they are being instructed to go on into the land promised to them.  

Moses and the tribes are to “choose individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable” to be their leaders (Deuteronomy 1:13).  

These leaders, or judges, were given this charge:  to give the members of the community fair hearings, to make just judgments whether kin or resident alien, to not be intimidated by anyone, to hear the small and the great alike (Deuteronomy 1:15-16).  

Persons such as George exemplify this fairness, this justice, for all.  May we listen to his example, and to God’s wisdom for this world. 

Peace Be With You. – Paul