Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I Couldn't Resist



My friend Alise posted this link in a comment on my blog, but I was afraid many people would miss this video. I couldn't resist sharing this brief clip with you because it very eloquently articulates a challenge from Dr. King that echoes as true today as it did when he first spoke these words.

I don't know if i you knew this or not, but the original intent for the MLK holiday wasn't a holiday in the classic sense. Monday was meant to be a day of service, of helping out your fellow human beings. Jesus told us that the greatest among us would be the servant of all, and Dr. King's words continue to put forth that truth.

I know that in the future, I am going to look for opportunities to serve where many times in the past I looked for some extra time to relax. I mean, could you imagine it if we were to dedicate one day of our lives to service? What would this world look like.

Better yet, what if we didn't wait for a special day to be set aside to serve? What if we looked for opportunities to serve every day?

I know a lot of people who have aspirations of being great, but I know of very few who want to serve. I know of many who want to change the world, but they can't seem to overcome their own selfishness. I know of multitudes who give lip service to change, but then continue in their same self-absorbed lifestyles.

I hope as you read this you will consider not only a day of service, but a life of service as well. What would it look like for you to take your eyes off yourself and look to the needs of others? What would it look like if you weren't so caught up in your own desires that you could give of your time, your talents, and your resources to serve the needs of others?

I would like to think that your life would look significantly different. As much as I think my own life is one of service, I can't help but be challenged by Dr. King's words myself. I can't help but be challenged by the words of Jesus. I can't help but be challenged and shamed by the thought of how different my life might look if it were more truly a life of service.

May each of us take an introspective look at our lives, and then take action that we might all be GREAT!

1 comment:

Alise said...

If anyone is interested in the full text of Dr. King's sermon, it can be found here: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/sermons/680204.000_Drum_Major_Instinct.html

"Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side, (Yes) not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world."