Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
On the fiftieth anniversary of Dr
King’s death, his legacy stands as tall as ever. Throughout his life he powerfully
preached the redemptive message, ‘Let
freedom ring.’
What stands out to me as Dr King’s most
winsome attribute was his Jesus-like approach to matters of justice, that has
its foundations in love, with its effects of peace. It can be read here:
“We must
forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We
must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again
and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with
soul force.” [1]
Here Dr King cites that it is conceivable
and possible to fight for something without fighting.
Dr King gave his life to the belief
in change through non-violent action — a creative dissent. He was a paragon of
Jesus-faith. He was a practitioner of Christ in winning a justice for all,
defined by love, which has its outworking in the contentment of a sustainable
peace. He rallied against violence on all sides of the political spectrum, always
meeting such disdain for peace compassionately, understanding the human fear
that underpins it. He worked tirelessly for an ideal that has in many ways
become a reality — even though the fight for unequivocal equality may never be
truly won. Dr King believed fiercely for the gentle sovereignty of soul force
that overcomes.
Dr King was gifted not only with a
heart for peace and justice, but with a grace with words that commanded
attention. Oh, what a great orator he was! And an essential part of his oratory
was that heart for peace and justice.
Perhaps of all the things Dr King
did, as Jesus did, was to challenge us; to inspire us through our own visceral responses,
to resolve our anger and work toward true love, which is a soul-accepting peace.
Today Dr King would have been in
his ninetieth year, and yet the world lost his Jesus-styled leadership over
half that time ago. We certainly need more leaders in the King mould, people
prepared to shelve their own interests in seeking what is best for all at all
times.
So, Lord, I thank You for the life
of Dr King, that he stood for Jesus, and for his rich legacy that continues to
this day. May you raise up people in our age and in the ages coming who will
stand how Dr King stood? I pray this in Jesus’ incredible peace-teaching and
peace-living name. Amen.
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