We’re in a fight for peace these days, aren’t we? I would argue that we always are and will be until Jesus brings us into our true “home sweet home”, but every corner has even the sweetest and hope filled shaking their heads and asking in conversation what in the world is up with the world.
In light of this…Martin Luther King, Jr. has been a piece of this season to me, a sweet piece that is challenging and inspiring. He has timeless words because ultimately his motivation was eternal as a pastor with eyes on Christ. So better than some words to share, I have words of his today:
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
I believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.” I still believe that We Shall overcome!’
This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born.”
From Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
