Reflection: Martin Luther King Junior Day 2017

For the last several years, I have tried to take a few moments on Martin Luther King Day to pause and consider the life of Dr. King and his example of service. Each year I also try to share a recorded excerpt of one of his speeches. The one below, is not only a reminder to do our work, whatever our lot in this life, with excellence, but also to become servant leaders, wherever we are.



As Dr. King says in the last moments of the recording above, "Man has not begun to live until he can rise above his individual concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." As you and I start our 2017, we each have an opportunity to recalibrate and refocus. As a world and as individuals, we are much more aware of the needs of both our local and global neighbors, and we are much more aware of what we might do to rise above our individual concerns to those of humanity. In fact, sometimes it is downright paralyzing because we are so aware. There are so many problems in our world; where does one start? I believe where we start is less important than simply starting. Once we start, we will become more attuned to the hopes and needs of others just by practicing care for our neighbors.

So today, on MLK Day, may we each start somewhere. And if we have already begun, may we remember Dr. King's life and example and continue. And whatever our lot, may we faithfully live out our calling, so that others will be inspired to live out theirs as well.

Martin Luther King Day 2016

For the many of the last several years, I’ve written a post and shared video or audio from one of Dr. King’s speeches on MLK Day. This year, in the spirit of continuing that tradition, I thought I would post an excerpt and a photo taken at the MLK Memorial in Washington DC.

As people around the country are enjoying a day off, I wanted to write a quick note to encourage you toward an act of service. The world becomes a better place when we choose to serve, and the purpose and intent of the MLK holiday is to give people a space and time to serve in their communities and in the world. For those who have already made other plans for the day, this is not an attempt to shame or guilt, but a reminder.

I believe service can and should be a lifestyle. I believe the highest calling of individuals is a calling to service. And I believe that setting aside a day is a great start to cultivating a lifestyle, but I want to encourage you to take time as you plot out your year and your plans—carve out opportunities to serve others. Go volunteer with your church or with a community group. Set aside money and time to give back.

The world can be a better place if we choose to serve. And I believe your life will be more fulfilling by choosing to serve. When we choose selfishness, I believe it shrinks our ability to be who we were made to be, to live out our calling, and to make the world a brighter place.

So whether you choose an act of service today or not, go out and serve this year. Set the date. Be intentional. Make it part of your life rhythm. May we each aspire toward the greatness that happens when we commit ourselves to the service and welfare of others.

Review: Selma

Every winter since we started dating, Jamie and I have a bit of a tradition. Neither of us can recollect making this an intentional tradition, but the pattern emerged, and we can both trace it back to winter 2008. Winter is our moving watching season, but not just any movies, we end up watching really serious historical/biographical films that give us an opportunity to think about justice and the perseverance of the human spirit. This winter has been no exception.

One of the movies we watched this winter was Selma, a movie that tells the story of the planning and events that led to the march 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama on March 7, 1965. As I started writing this post, I just had the realization that today marks 50 years since that march. The march itself led to President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights act of 1965, and was a massive milestone in the civil rights movements of the 1960s.

I won’t go into the details of the film, but I do recommend you go watch it. I recommend it for a couple of reasons. First, it is a great film. Beyond being a great film, it carries the viewer back 50 years to a very different United States, and portrays just how overwhelming the opposition was to equal voting rights in parts of this country, and also carries the viewer to see how that opposition was overcome. Movies like Selma are a reminder that as Dr. King said many times, “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” May we all remember that the path toward a better world may not be an easy one, but it is always worthwhile to labor for the betterment of others. 

Martin Luther King Day 2014

Today is Martin Luther King (MLK) Day in the US, and many people are enjoying a day away from work or school. The day is set apart as a day for public service, and personally, I love this idea. Even if people don't go out and serve today, but instead begin to cultivate a lifestyle of service, I believe it is an incredible tribute to the legacy of Dr. King.

As he says in this speech excerpted above, "Anyone can be great, because anyone can serve." Personally, I believe that this world would look a whole lot different if people woke up with a perspective in which they were looking to serve others instead of looking to be served.

And this possibility starts with one person. It starts with you. Now, you could wait for someone else in your community to start serving. You could wait for some folks to organize a community service activity--maybe some folks from your church, the local government, or a civic organization. Or you could step out of the shadows, and look for the opportunity to contribute. Maybe you could join a movement like ONE or serve with a group like Nuru International or International Justice Mission. There are definitely more opportunities to serve than there are people taking those opportunities. You could volunteer at a homeless shelter or at a hospital or any number of activities locally.

Today, on MLK Day, you might not be serving somewhere. But think about where you can serve. Think about how YOU could help make this world a better place by giving back. Most of us, if we are honest, have WAY more to give than we ever attempt. Don't hold back. The world is waiting for you to be great. 

Where will you serve in 2014? 

Review: A Testament of Hope by Dr Martin Luther King Jr

As The Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service has passed, and the efforts of Dr. King are top of mind for many in the US and around the world, I thought that this would be a fitting time to write a brief review of A Testament OfHope which is a collection of the writings interviews and speeches of the late Dr. King.

As a person who is concerned with issues of justice as well as issues of faith, I find that by reading and reflecting on the words of those in the past who have dedicated themselves towards making a better place, I am able to better serve in related a related way today. Dr. King's example and words continue to motivate people to pursue justice and serve others. 

This book of speeches, essays, and interviews is utterly inspring. To be able to sit and read the writings of one of the leaders of the African American Civil Rights movment in the United States, as well those of a passionate ambassador for peace is an encouragement for anyone who is carrying the torch forward. Our world is significantly different than that of Dr. King’s, but looking back, we can see the effects of a life dedicated toward making a difference.

As we continue to live in the legacy of Dr King and other activists of the past, I believe that people young and old around the world can appreciate the words of this book, and should take the time to read it and reflect on the words and life of Dr. King.

Martin Luther King Day 2013

For the last few years, as this holiday approaches, I like to take time to read speeches watch videos and reflect on the outcome of the efforts and life of Dr. King and other activists and ambassadors for justice in our world.

I remember reading a few years back that Dr. Martin LutherKing Day was initially meant to be dedicated as a day of service in our communities and in our world. And as I write this note, it is my hope that more people will take the day as an opportunity to either serve actively immediately or begin reflecting on where they may be called to serve.

In the words of Dr. King, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Those words echo the teachings of Jesus, “The greatest among you will be the servant of all.”

So today, I encourage you, look for opportunities to serve. As we celebrate the life, mission, and vision of Dr. King, may we each find a place to serve. There are many great needs in this world, including extremepoverty, slavery, and the environment. The world needs passionate and purposeful people who will make daily commitments to justice and to service.

You and I may never have the platform, the reach, or the impact of Dr. King, but that isn’t why we should ever do anything. We should pursue justice because it is the right thing to do, and, again in the words of Dr. King, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

May we all be people who resolve to follow the example of Dr. King and others, and to strive to faithfully live out the words of the ancient Hebrew prophet, Micah and “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Martin Luther King Day 2012

Today we remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his legacy of working toward justice in America and in the world. It's pretty amazing to think about the fact that less than a century ago, the civil rights movement was in full sway. Less than a century ago, schools were segregated, restaurants were segregated, and even bathrooms and water fountains were segregated. Our nation has come a long way since Dr. King's death but there is still much work left to do in the realm of justice.

This weekend, I pulled a book off the shelf called "A Testament of Hope." It is a collection of the writings and speeches of the late Dr. King. I read a sermon, which was Dr. King's last Sunday sermon and it was given at the beautiful National Cathedral in Washington DC on Passion Sunday 1968, just a few years before I was born, almost to the day.

As I read the sermon, all I could think was that it could have been given yesterday just as easily as it could have been given 34 years ago. The words ring as true today as they did in 1968. Here's a small section.

"First, we are challenged to develop a world perspective. No individual can live alone, no nation can live alone, and anyone who feels he can live alone is sleeping through a revolution."

And another.

"Something positive must be done, everyone must share in the guilt as individuals and as institutions."

And yet another.

"There is another thing closely related to racism that I would like to mention as another challenge. We are challenged to rid our nation and our world of poverty. Like a monstrous octopus, poverty spreads its nagging, prehensile tentacles into villages and hamlets all over our world."

Dr. King, in this sermon centered the message around these words of Jesus, "Behold I make all things new--former things are passed away."

And as a closing remark, may the closing words of Dr. King's sermon be our prayer today, and every day, until Jesus returns.

"God grant that we will be participants in this newness and this magnificent development. If we will but do it, we will bring about a new day of justice and brotherhood and peace. And that day the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy. God bless you."

Martin Luther King Day 2011

Today, we remember Dr. King for his acts of service and justice in this world.  For the last few years, I have attempted to make a concerted effort toward remembering him and his words in blog posts.  He has much to say about issues of justice, and his life was marked by the pursuit of justice in this world.

This year, I have chosen to share a couple of short and yet pointed snippets from his speeches.  I hope they will challenge and inspire you, and that together we can work toward being “maladjusted” and working toward justice in a world where there is much injustice and suffering.

Have a great MLK, and let’s keep pursuing the dream!

Speaking Words of Potential

I was six years old and in the first grade when Steve Swisher came to my school to speak.  He was the only major league baseball player I know of that came out of my home town of Parkersburg, WV until his son Nick Swisher got picked up by the Oakland A’s.  And now, Nick is playing for the Yankees, but I digress.

I don’t remember a lot about Steve Swisher’s visit except that he signed some people’s baseball cards (I didn’t have any), and he shared some motivational words that have stuck with me ever since. 

It’s kind of wild to think about the things that saturate a young person’s mind.  I can’t remember a lot of my gradeschool experiences, but I remember being in the McKinley Elementary School Cafeteria sitting on the speckled tile floor when Steve encouraged all of us to “Strive to be the best!”  I wasn’t sure exactly what it meant, but I knew from everything he shared, that it takes effort and hard work to be the best at anything, and that our number one competitor isn’t other people, but rather ourselves. 

You see, when we strive to be the best, we are striving to become the best version of ourselves that we could possibly be.  And it could just be that the best version of ourselves we could possibly be also happens to be the very best at a skill or a virtue anywhere. 

I don’t really know what prompted Steve Swisher’s visit to McKinley, but I know that his words had an impact on me.  I’ve never met him or his son face-to-face, but his simple phrase has been a source of encouragement in all that I do.  And his words are a reminder of the power of our words in the lives of others around us, both young and old.

When you speak, you can speak words of life or words that tear-down others.  What would happen if each of us chose to speak life-giving words to others, and we sought to inspire others to “Strive to be the best!”?  I have had an opportunity to speak in a few schools during my life in spite of my lack of playing major league (or even high school for that matter) baseball.  Many times when I think about these opportunities, my mind goes back to Steve Swisher, and I think of the possibilities in those classrooms.  I’m potentially speaking to the next MLK or Gandhi, and perhaps someone in the classroom will look back on my visit as a catalytic moment.

We all have these opportunities though.  If you have children, or if your life intersects with another person’s ANYWHERE, you and I can speak words of life that may be a source of strength and hope for others when times get difficult. 

As you go about your day today, be mindful of your opportunities to speak life and hope into the people who are around you. 

May your words be instruments of life and hope, and may they help others realize their potential.

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!