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...let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
-Amos 5:21-24
Today marks the celebration of the life, death, and struggle of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I've had a lot of reflections, thoughts, and questions in recent days, especially because of turbulent 2020. My takeaway has been this.
One of my youth when I served in Salisbury was a dedicated athlete (now a college athlete on scholarship). He worked out rigorously to be in top shape, always asking one question and answering it the same way to push himself to be his best. How many more? How many more pushups, how many more reps, how many more squats, lifts, miles, minutes, laps, pounds? How many more? Always one more!
I was essentially taught as a kid that civil rights was a movement of the past, before me, done, accomplished. We'd reached Martin's mountaintop and the work was now over, or in the refining process, a personal level for a handful. But as believers, we well know what an addict knows. We are none of us perfect ex-sinners. We are all of us recovering sinners in need of saving. And so our our world and nation is imperfect, and always in need of our participation and work, walking humbly with our Lord. How many more miles to the mountaintop? Always one more!
So this MLK Day, my challenge to all of us is to go that mile. Let's get educated together. You know his I Have a Dream speech but you've never heard it? Now is the day. You've heard that? The man was a preacher. One of our best. Listen to a couple more or read his prison letters. Meet the man more fully. I'm providing a few links below. Ready for more? A heavier workout? Try the leading books on transforming yourself and our nation. Click the links, and if you're eager for more, email me (briand@jcpcusa.org). I'm eager to hear what you learn and share what I've learned so we can grow together. And finally, make and spend time with friends you make who are different than you, especially in race, ethnicity, and faith. We deeply need that to move forward.
I Have a Dream Speech (at the March)...
https://youtu.be/smEqnnklfYs
#1 Bestseller: Just Mercy (book or film)...
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Story-Justice-Redemption/dp/081298496X
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Michael-B-Jordan/dp/B082YJ8TH
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