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Scripture for the day: Galatians 3:27-29 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Thought for the day: This is Martin Luther Jr. Day in the United States. It’s a day when we pause in our head-long plunge to destruction to pay homage to a man who contributed most, I think, by raising the consciousness of a nation still steeped in racial prejudice and bigotry. His leadership in the Civil Rights movement brought about change; of that there can be no doubt. More importantly, and of greater long-term impact was the fact that he caused so many to look within and analyze their own attitudes. When that happened, tremendous changes were made (whether those changes were recognized right away or not). I wanted to pause for a moment and share with you a few quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Take a moment to reflect, if you will.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only love can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; only love can do that.”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
“Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.”
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
“I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.”
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”
There are many more we could include in this list, but I think you get the point. It’s not that Martin Luther King Jr. was a super-hero, without flaw or fault. He wasn’t, any more than any of the founding fathers of the nation that people seem so intent on destroying these days. None of those we look up to are perfect examples, save one; the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Dr. King would agree, I’m sure.
This is a day when we should pause for a few moments of honest reflection and renew our own commitment to the truth that, in reality, there is only one race; the human race. Color of skin, home of origin, or accident of birth should have no place in how we treat others or how they are treated by us. Are we there yet? Of course not, but it’s up to each of us individually to move humanity at least on more step along the way.
One last quote, and one of my all-time favorites: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
Now go take on your world. - Bill