On Sunday, March 30, Reverend Lawrence E. Aker III, lead pastor at Cornerstone Baptist, made a simple statement to attendees of the weekly service at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel: “It will work out.”   

“Whatever you are facing, I don’t know what your it is, but by the power of God, it will work out,” said Aker.   

Preaching from Timothy 2:1 3-5, the reverend went on to emphasize verse 7, which reads “For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid or fearful, but gives us power, love and a sound mind.”    

Stating that it’s a great time to be alive, Aker detailed the first industrial revolution (the train), the second (mass manufacturing), the third (the advent of the internet), and finally the fourth: artificial intelligence (AI). “AI, our brand-new friend, is leading the fourth industrial revolution,” he said, listing some of the technology’s benefits, including the climate control in the chapel. That said, he acknowledged that some in attendance were likely more concerned with their own “personal revolution,” wondering how they will “make it through right now.” 

The letter in 2 Timothy is a message of encouragement from a father, Apostle Paul, to his son. And this is exactly what the pastor came to Howard to do: encourage students, alumni, and faculty alike to keep going. “I want to reiterate to you today, that it will work out,” said Aker. “Whatever you’re facing, whatever that challenge is, it will work out.”  

Paul tells us in this scripture what God has not given us. “Paul says fear is a spirit and it is not of God,” said Aker, explaining how fear affects us, attacking our central nervous systems and impacting everything that we do. “When we’re in a moment of fear, you can’t make rational decisions, because fear inhibits our decision-making process.” But God doesn’t want us to be timid or to forget the deeds and the miracles of the Lord.  

“Never forget that same God who brought you here is the same God who can keep you here; don’t let fear impact you, because we are soldiers,” Aker went on. “God puts his power, his spirit in soldiers. That we don’t run on the battlefield, but we make haste and complete our assignments.”  

Aker spoke of those who came before us, particularly the soldiers who marched through Howard’s halls, using Zora Neale Hurston as an example of an unlikely person, used by God, to remind us not to be afraid — to push though fear and create greatness. “She came to Howard, against the odds. But now today, we celebrate her. We know her by her name,” he said. “She came here in spite of her fear and trepidation, but these are the types of soldiers and warriors that our university creates!” He went on to mention the likes of Toni Morrison, Vernon Jordan, and Chadwick Boseman, whose paths Howard students walk in today, encouraging those in attendance to be like them — to move in greatness, not fear.    

What has God given us, then? “Paul says he has not given us fear, but he has given us power,” said Aker. “And that’s why it will work out.” The pastor acknowledged that power means different things to different people, discussing the often destructive “power” wielded by J. Edgar Hoover, who served in several U.S. administrations, as an example. He asked that we consider how one uses power, noting that God has “given us a different kind of power.” “This isn’t a power that has term limits. This isn’t a power that has tenure. This is a power that can help you walk through your most difficult moments.” He continued, “It’s a power that gives you strength.” 

Aker closed out his message reminding us of what else God has given, love, stating that we need both. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said if you have power, but you don’t have love, that’s reckless and abusive. But if you have love, but you don’t have any power, that’s sentimental and anemic. So, you have to have a balance of power and love.”  

We may be living in a time where love seems secondary to hate, but Aker gave the congregation a weapon to use to amplify our spirit to love. “We live in a world where everything is decided with an AK47. I would encourage everyone to look into getting an M544. It’s concealable, it won’t be detected … Mathew 5 and 44!” he laughed. “Jesus said, pray for those who despise you. Pray for your enemies. Matthew 5:44, I call that a M544. You can carry that on campus. You can carry it with you wherever you go. And that’s how God will give you the spirit to love.”   

Closing out, the pastor once again proclaimed his message of things making a way and working out.  

“Listen Howard Family, it will work out, because Christ the King is still in the lifting business. He is able to keep you. He’s able to bring you through.”