"There is no greater love than to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends."
John 15:13 (NLT)
Yesterday we celebrated Martin Luther King day. I wonder what Reverend King would have thought about having a "day" set aside in remembrance of his life and his death?
I was reading some "famous quotes" attributed to the reverend and it's interesting how many of the sayings he's given credit for came from the Bible and Jesus. I doubt he would have wanted to take credit for the teachings of Christ, but rather, I think he would have loved for people to follow the teachings of Christ instead.
When I read about and ponder Dr. King's life messages, I am saddened that what he stood for and represented has become a race and political issue that divides us instead of unites us. He spoke more about personal responsibility, choice, conviction, character, and in the uniting of people, not based on skin color or differences, but on our similarities. He spoke against hate and promoted love.
"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity.
Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity.
It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful,
and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
I offer you a challenge: What are you doing to promote unity, love, and inclusion in your relationships? If you look at your social media, FaceBook, or Twitter accounts, do you find positive comments, or do you post things that are inflammatory and hurtful? In your household, are you encouraging and uplifting those who love you? Are you tearing down barriers or building walls? Are you a beacon of light, or living in darkness?
I think if we take the counsel of Dr. King and resist the decisive negative commentary of the media that tears us apart and seek to embrace the good in people, I believe, that would be the legacy Dr. King would be honored by.