Even though I knew in advance the November edition of the magazine would be focused on Health and Wellness, I was still uncertain which direction to go for this special edition. Annoyed with myself for not having a clear direction, I finally said in my heart, “God, what direction should I go?” Then, in the eleventh hour, a scripture came to mind from the Book of Acts. In Acts 2, there is a passage in which the author Luke writes how the believers in the Gospel were in community, breaking bread together, sharing their faith, and praying. But that’s not all. In Acts 2:44, Luke writes: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.” I immediately thought to myself, That’s it! If only we had all things in common. Thank you, Jesus, for the revelation!

In verses 42-47, Luke also describes how the believers ended up having all things in common. It was because those who had freely shared with those who did not. Some even sold property and possessions to give the proceeds to those in need, so that they would have all things in common as a community, as a people. As the songwriter Ada R. Habershon put it in a popular Christian hymn, Will the Circle Be Unbroken?; these early believers said yes, the circle will be unbroken. They made sure that all people were equal, which ensured that they could fellowship in peace and harmony. If we can envision it in today’s time, this is a community, a people, who made sure there was no food insecurity, no unhoused families, no income disparities based on gender, race, or ethnicity, no sick who could not afford treatment, and the list could go on. Making sure that the needs of the people were met promoted health and wellness and introduced access to the abundant life on earth for their fellow mankind.

Acts 2:44 is a model that we should ponder in our hearts as a society. It is a model that would demand selflessness. It is a model that would demand that needs be met, whether Jew or Gentile. It is a model that would demand that all have opportunities to learn and grow. In the Book of Acts, the people were learning and growing spiritually. In today’s time, it might represent opportunities for equitable education, thereby growing in knowledge to optimize career opportunities. It could also be in the form of equitable healthcare, ensuring that communities could live in optimal physical health and mental well-being.

Truly, what would America and the larger society look like if we had all things in common? If we had all things in common, would there be fewer conflicts over resources? Would we still be asking the question, Is healthcare a right or a privilege? Would we be stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally as a people? If you are saying to yourself, yes, to that last question, and I am sure you are not the only one saying yes, then why do we continue to choose to support systems of inequality? Systems of inequality make us sick physically, mentally, and emotionally. Will the circle be unbroken?

Frankly, I believe that the circle can be unbroken, and we can have equality if we truly want it. To achieve it, we have to pursue a societal model that allows us to have all things in common. This is not a model shaped by Super PACS, but a model shaped by hearts. We must have a heart to want everyone, regardless of race and class, to have a life of abundant health and wellness. If the folks in Acts 2 made it so that they had all things in common, we have no excuse but to say that our hearts are simply not in it. But why? Could it be that in Acts 2, it was the encounter (with the Gospel) that shifted the heart of man? Could it be that from that encounter, their hearts were filled with compassion, mercy, and most importantly, love for others? Could it be that we need an encounter here in America that we, too, might be filled with compassion, mercy, and love? Perhaps then we can create, implement, and uphold a model shaped by hearts of flesh.

Have some men and women championed models that would lead to more just, equal, and equitable systems in healthcare and human welfare? Absolutely. However, we must get to this place as a collective, as a nation, as a people, if we are to see systems changed and improved health and wellness outcomes across race, ethnicity, and class. Is there any other way of having all things in common without a renewed heart and mind about the systems and structures that perpetuate disparities and inequalities? Perhaps there is—I do not profess to know everything. However, deep within, I think it is going to take an encounter to institute models of equality and equity in America. Our encounter might not look like the one in Acts 2; nevertheless, I believe it is going to have to take an encounter to break down old systems of inequality to make way for the new.  

As quoted in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Though we may not be able to see it now, we have reason to continue to hope for a better society, where health and wellness are commonplace, where the circle is unbroken.