University of Hard Knocks

Elijah McCoy, (The Real McCoy)

Some believe that many people are leaving the church. It is difficult to know what is on the minds of others, but I can surmise. My concept of the crucifixion of Christ is somewhat different from that of others. I imagine that God used this horrific event for multiple purposes. Contrary to the beliefs of some, the lesson that I learned was to not allow the controlling physical powers separate me from the Spirit of God.

The Warning

Pontius Pilate was warned by a spirit that Jesus had done no wrong. He therefore washed his hands of condemning Jesus to death and left this infamous task to the congregation. It was the religious and political leaders who enticed the people to crucify Jesus.

The congregation was given three choices. Two of the choices were obvious criminals who had committed heinous acts. The third was a man who had done no wrong—one whose mission was to lead the congregation in pleasing God.

It was the Pharisees and Sadducees who led the chant for the people to crucify Jesus, whom some believed to be the Son of God. The religious authorities and political figures believed that Jesus was infringing upon their power. This power struggle has given me great wisdom. Calvary was not exclusive. If we are observant, it is not difficult to see that people have always been reluctant to relinquish their physical authority, even to the will of God.

Our country is now enduring extraordinary physical growing pangs because some are so tethered to the physical dimension until they miss the glory of God. Thank God many are being awakened by the struggles of others that came before them. They are now wise enough to vet their leaders more critically than before. This could be one of the reasons so many are leaving the churches. What do I know?

Wisdom Beyond the Physical

His first name was Saul, but after his journey on the road to Damascus, he became Paul. When he was Saul, he was essentially a bounty hunter. His job was to capture followers of Jesus, namely the disciples.

The events on the road to Damascus relate not only to the apostle Paul—whose dramatic conversion occurred there—but also provide a clear picture of the conversion of all believers. While some have an extraordinarily dramatic conversion known as a “Damascus Road experience,” the transformation of all believers follows a pattern similar to Paul’s encounter described in Acts 9:1–9, Acts 22:6–11, and Acts 26:9–20.

On the road to Damascus, Saul was on his way to arrest followers of Jesus when he encountered a bright light and heard a voice asking, “Why are you persecuting Me?” This moment transformed him from a fierce persecutor of Christians into a devoted apostle of Jesus. After this vision, he was temporarily blinded and required assistance to continue his journey. In Damascus, Ananias guided him, restored his sight, and baptized him. This event marked a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, illustrating the power of divine revelation and the potential for complete personal transformation.

After his conversion, Paul taught that the things we see in the physical dimension are temporary, while the things not seen—mental and spiritual—are everlasting. For many seasons, I have relied upon Paul’s wisdom to guide me. His words have taught me to be skeptical of the physical realm.

Throughout my adult life, I have searched for concrete evidence of Paul’s assertions. Over my eighty-one seasons in this physical world, I have found many examples in which Paul’s wisdom has profoundly strengthened my life.

The Real McCoy

I am only one generation removed from slavery. My grandfather was enslaved, and my grandmother on my father’s side was Creek Native American. I have received enormous wisdom from this lineage. I understand why they danced and sang during the most horrific seasons ever known to humanity. No chapters or verses in any religious doctrine can fully describe suffering more extreme than the Transatlantic Slave Trade or the Trail of Tears. I carry genetic memory from both.

Something miraculous happens when a person’s physical body is enslaved and tortured for many seasons. God provides a mechanism for refuge. If we have faith in God and believe that God is good, then the reason for this is not difficult to understand.

The blessing I have observed is that people who endure horrific physical intrusion often pass down a form of spiritual wisdom to their descendants. This inherited wisdom is invisible but accessible through faith, nonetheless many go through their entire lives unaware of this extraordinary ability. That is why I am sharing this today. I hope and believe that the wisdom that I share today will enlighten the Planet to understand the blessing that we all possess. These blessings are not accessible through the physical senses, but are of extreme importance, especially in the season that we are now experiencing.

If the Apostle Paul was correct when he said that “things seen came from things that did not appear,” then many will understand that I am not “just talking turkey” when I speak of converting negative energy into positive strength through mental transformation.

When one inherits the energy born from the long suffering of their ancestors, I call it wisdom from the University of Hard Knocks. I began using this phrase in 1964, when Paul’s wisdom helped me qualify for cryptography school in the military—where I earned the highest score in the class.

It was unfortunate for the United States, but still unusual for someone of my complexion, without a college degree, to be admitted to cryptography school in 1964. I was the only Black person in the class. My classmates constantly asked, “John, what college did you attend?” I would always answer sarcastically, “The University of Hard Knocks!", as I reached for straws. Most assumed it was some obscure school in West Virginia. They took me literally, and I would laugh to myself. The University of Hard Knocks is not a physical college—it is a mental one. It has provided me with wisdom unattainable anywhere else on Earth.

Like the Apostle Paul, I have no doubt that “things seen come from things that do not appear.” This wisdom is the result of many years of unimaginable ancestral and personal struggle. I do not require reparations. God has repaired me. I have my 40 acres. The mule was the most insulting part of the deception.

Still, God is good. Never doubt it, regardless of the circumstance.God knows best.