By JERRIA MARTIN / Columnist 

There is hope in Jesus!

Hundreds of smiling faces, rejoicing hands, embracing arms, altruistic spirits and unified hearts filled the streets of GWC Homes on Sunday, all united in one holy name — Jesus!

It was Jesus Day and the faith community united to provide food, fun and fellowship all in the name of Jesus and it was awesome!

We were blessed by the anointed voice of Selma native, Kevin Derryberry, as he and his band led us in an enthusiastic and centering praise and worship.

Then the community rocked and rolled as performing artist David Paul Brooks (DPB) led us in a Christian remix of all the kid’s favorite tunes.

We danced, we praised, we rocked, we rolled — all in the name of Jesus.

There’s only one person powerful enough to bring such a beautiful union to the streets of Selma.

Jesus!

Jesus breaks down barriers of race, gender and social economic status and unites in the name of love, forgiveness and grace.

We must applaud the Jesus Day committee for organizing such a spirited and meaningful event!

Let’s thank them for helping us build Jesus’ beloved community in Selma and for instilling in our youth the greatest commandments: to love God and your neighbor as yourself.

It was Jesus who taught us to begin our prayers with the most powerful two words ever, “Our Father,” which means that all who call him father are united in Christ as brothers and sisters and are charged to keep his love commandments through our words of compassion and our deeds of faith.

Surely Jesus deserves a day, but you can bless him today by giving him your life. He is our hope.

Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic, eloquently reminds us, “Hope is in the name of God, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hope is when you compare your suffering to the infinite, immeasurable love and grace of God.”

The best advice my mother has ever given to me is to place my hands in God’s hand trusting him to lead the way; in my coming and in my going, to always lean and call on Jesus.

So today if I had 10,000 tongues I’d use them all to call Jesus! If I were Albanian I’d shout, “Jezu!” If I were Polish I’d sing, “Jezos!” If I were Arabic I’d yell, “Yeshuah!” If I were Italian I’d proclaim, “Gesù!”

If I were Spanish I’d say, “Jesús!” Because there is wonderworking, awe-inspiring and life-changing hope in Jesus!