12 Jan His Peace Will Make Us One
Dear Friends,
As glorious as all the special worship events of the past month have been (a wedding,
ordination of elders, Lessons & Carols, poetry & pajamas, and send-offs to four staff), I
am ready for a “normal” Sunday, if there is such a thing! Which is why we’ll spend the
next couple of weeks in the Psalms. Reading these poetic biblical songs tends to have a
calming, peaceful effect, and I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty special right
about now.
But just because we need to catch our breath does not mean we fail to appreciate the
moment at hand. And this weekend, that means celebrating the extraordinary gifts and
legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here is a random sampling of some of his most famous quotes:
“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. I have a
dream today.”
“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.”
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ “
“There are some things so dear, some things so precious, some things so eternally true,
that they are worth dying for. And I submit to you that if a man has not discovered
something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.
That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like any man, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up 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. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
Click here to listen to Your Peace Will Make Us One. I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t what Dr. King saw when he got to the mountaintop and looked over into the Promised Land—a land where all people dwell together in peace.
May it ever be so.
Yours for the Kingdom,
Michelle
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