Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary person. Not perfect but nevertheless, extraordinary. While we remember his legacy again on this day…let’s not make the mistake of forgetting the God behind this extraordinary man.
It’s way too easy to talk about MLK because so many people and groups of people want to own him as their own. But they often don’t want to take or acknowledge all of him. At the core of his life, Martin Luther King Jr. was a follower of Jesus Christ. His faith in Christ informed all that he sought to do as a civil rights leader.
One of my heroes is Frederick Douglass. I have a list of folks whose stuff I regularly read on and read about and Frederick Douglass is one of them. Words in today’s world have grown to be an interesting sensation. I believe in the power of words via teaching, preaching, blogging, writing, etc. At the essence, I do believe in the adage that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” I just think that claim is tested today like never before because in our digital and social media world, it’s easy to be posers, pretenders, and well, people full of words and lacking in the deeper context and story of meaning, substance, labor, pursuit, perseverence, and conviction. What am I saying? Words are nice but actions need to accompany words.
Why do I admire Frederick Douglass? It’s not just his words but it’s his life and struggles and his perseverance, courage, and faith in the midst.
Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895) was an American abolitionist, women’s suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer. Douglass is one of the most prominent figures in African-American and United States history. In 1872, Douglass became the first African American nominated as a Vice Presidential candidate in the U.S., running on the Equal Rights Party ticket with Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for President of the United States.
There are others whose voice and courage are incredibly noteworthy including Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and even contemporary voices such as Cornel West. But Douglass, for me, stands out. His faith came from his convictions as a follower of God and thus, sought to love God with his heart, soul, body, and mind and took to heart the call to love mercy, seek justice, and walk humbly. He was also a licensed preacher and wasn’t shy of calling the church out on its hypocrisy. This quote is a must read for all Christians, leaders, and pastors: Read the rest of this entry »
Truly historic. Not being the most ga-ga supporter of Obama, I found myself crying like a baby particularly as I saw many adult African-Americans cry like babies.
I was listening to an interview of an African-American woman who spoke of what will take place on January 20, 2009 when Obama is sworn in as the President of the United States. He will be sworn in on the very steps of Capitol Hill that were built in part by the labor of black slaves. Just consider that for a few seconds.
Honestly, I don’t know what “changes” lie ahead but it is a new day in America. As Minhee and I prayed with our children tonight as we do each night before they go to sleep, we took several minutes to pray for Senator McCain and for President Barack Obama. Regardless of your political leanings, I hope that you’ll keep him and his family in prayer. God instructs His followers to pray for our leaders not because we are to blindly follow them but to simply convey that beyond our finite understanding, God remains in control.
Let me share one of my favorite quotes from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – one of my heroes. A Testament of Hope: Essential Writings of MLK Jr. is an absolute must read book.
“When our days become dreary with low hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Hoping to see many of you at your local MLK march and/or event – whether you are from the city or the suburbs; Asians, African-Americans, Anglos, Hispanics…it really doesn’t matter. Honoring his legacy is a decision to honor a dream bigger than one man, a dream bigger than one race. It’s a decision to recommit ourselves to the shalom that God intended for His creation. It’s God’s dream which is why it didn’t die when MLK was assassinated. And while it’s a dream that will never be completely fulfilled with our own doing but nevertheless, one that we must pursue “on earth as it is in heaven.” Read the rest of this entry »
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