James Baldwin reminded us that “History, is not merely something to be read.” History is carried within us. Baldwin even reminds us we can be unconsciously controlled by it, and it is present in everything we do. As a person of faith, I have always believed there are aspects of my past I have to overcome, I have to grow beyond. Like a seed, with time and care, I turn into something more magnificent. Baldwin spoke on a societal level and I on a personal, but the result is the same, understanding our history, the positive and negative, is key to growth. This tension is alive and well today, whether it’s religion, race, or class, this Sunday I will reflect on this tension.