“Use me God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This week we honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his ongoing legacy through various celebrations with an emphasis on service. In his first mass meeting address, King explained, “We are here in a general sense because first and foremost, we are American citizens and we are determined to acquire our citizenship to the fullness of its meaning. We are also here because of our deep belief that democracy transformed from the paper to thick action is the greatest form of government on earth.” King continued his speech that “Love was to be the regulating ideal and to “love your enemies” was a call not to reward wrongdoing but to expose wrongdoing, overcome evil, and dispel hatred by doing good and behaving with kindness. He made it clear that if they failed to follow these practices, their efforts would be futile and meaningless.” (The History and Heritage of African American Churches, L.H. Whelchel, Jr., p227)
Dr. King spoke powerful words and came from a place of power. An internal power of love and faith that were more than just principles to speak about, but actions to live out. It is not always easy to go down that road with faith led by love. And yet knowing it is a road I do not travel alone, that none of us travel alone, strengthens me. Yes, I speak of the One Power within each one of us that is bigger than anything in this world AND I speak to the power of community. When love is the regulating ideal of any community, whether it is your family and friend community, your spiritual community or the wider community of this nation, there is nothing that our faith in love/good cannot overcome when lived out.
During this week of service, how are you living out your powers of love and faith? Remember that even a small pebble can make large ripples in the water.
Love, Light & Sparkles,
Rev. Carol
