Today
is the holiday that we call Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I thought it appropriate to say a few words
about Dr. King. Many know Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. as an inspirational man who fought against the current of
racism. And, of course, that is true. But some don’t know just how much this
man suffered for his vision. I came
across these words from Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King. She says that this holiday “commemorates
America’s pre-eminent advocate of non-violence – the man who taught by his
example that nonviolent action is the most powerful revolutionary force for
social change available to oppressed people in their struggles for liberation.”
She
continues, “This holiday honors the courage of a man who endured harassment, threats
and beatings, and even bombings. We
commemorate the man who went to jail 29 times to receive freedom for others,
and who knew he would pay the ultimate price for his leadership, but kept on
marching and protesting and organizing anyway” (see below for link). And he did “pay the ultimate price”
when he was assassinated in 1968 – 50 years ago.
Obviously
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Dr. King’s famous speech “I have a dream”
delivered in 1963. One of my favorite
lines in the speech is when Dr. King proclaims, “I have a dream that my four
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.” Has that day arrived? Is Dr. King’s dream a reality today? Unfortunately, the answer is no. We have made tremendous strides, but there are
still too many instances of racism in our world. I could cite examples of this that we’ve seen
in recent days and years, but they nauseate me so I’ll refrain. The bottom line is we are not there yet. But we can keep striving because it is a
noble – and God-honoring – quest.
In
conclusion, I am inspired as I’ve shared a little bit about the life, example,
and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with you. This was a man who was willing to suffer and
eventually give his life for his dream of a better tomorrow. Ron Luce once stated, “Until we find a cause
worth dying for, we’re not really living.”
That quote epitomizes Dr. King.
Kevin
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