Are YOU Willing To Take The Cure? By Angelia J. Poole

In the Town Hall of Cornelius, NC, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025 was an eclectic mix of humanity. The room was filled with men and women, seasoned citizens and young children, clergy and laity, local politicians and community members, musicians and Boy Scouts, Methodists and Presbyterians, Black people and White people. People with diverse backgrounds were unified in their celebration of one man who was described by the keynote speaker as “A drum major in our fight for freedom… his brilliance, eloquence, character, courage, and commitment enabled him to lead a movement that changed our nation and our world.”

1 Timothy 6:5-11 (NLT) was the foundation of Bishop Darryl B. Starnes’ keynote message titled, “Healing the Soul of Our Nation!” He told us that one must first acknowledge that disease is present for one to receive the prescribed healing for that disease. He opened his message by reminding us of two important dates that began the end of legalized slavery to and within our country – January 1, 1808, when the Transatlantic Slave Trade was abolished, and January 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He clearly identified this persistent disease: Human Exploitation. In reflecting on the long history of mankind exploiting humanity, Bishop Starnes expertly outlined chilling facts of long-term exploitation and identified several of the continuing effects those atrocities have had on a variety of victims across time.

Although knowing that a disease exists is important, he was quite clear about how vital it is to identify the root cause of the disease. Both the motives behind these historical atrocities and Holy Writ (1 Timothy 6:10) confirm that ‘the love of money is the root’ of the evils that have consistently plagued us and promoted human exploitation. Bishop Starnes said, “The saddest thing is that often those who have been victims of exploitation become perpetrators of exploitation.” Unfortunately, those who have been Infected WITH the disease often become Infectors OF the disease. As disheartening as this disturbing truth may be, there is hope! Acknowledging the disease and identifying its root cause doesn’t just inform each of us of the challenge, but it also positions all of us to accept God’s charge to provoke healing. God directs us just as Paul directed Timothy: “Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11b) As the affected easily identifies the infected, our focus can be misaligned towards the offenders, posturing us towards retaliation instead of restoration. But with Paul’s admonishment, we’re directed to activate the Fruit of The Spirit and pursue the character of God! When we embrace these directives, we are compelled to pray for perpetrators’ hearts to be remolded and victims’ hearts to be mended.

It is in aligning our heart with God’s heart that we realize we all, both victim and victimizer, need the antidote to this grave disease. And in quiet self-reflection, we must each ask ourselves, “Are YOU Willing to Take The Cure?”