Loving Others

 

On this Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there are so many words of his that challenge and convict me – in a good way – in the best way – in the faithful, life-changing way.  In particular, I am drawn to his words in Letter from the Birmingham Jail where he writes:

 

“The early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.”

 

There are so many powerful and prophetic quotes in this letter.  Yet, today, I realize how quickly we are a thermometer rather than a thermostat.  We are guided and governed by how many likes we get on Twitter or Facebook or what someone says in reaction to us.  We let applause and approval govern what we do rather than our faithfulness to Jesus.  This deep, abiding faith in Jesus doesn’t always mean life is smooth sailing.  Remember, Dr. King is in jail when he wrote the above words.  We are weathering a pandemic that continues to surge; political bickering that won’t resolve; fear and lashing out at each other; and pain unprocessed that fuels us rather than God’s love.  The thermometer of the world is boiling, and we can feel heat rising in ways that leave us worn out and weary.  The thermometer of the world continues to issue demands and decrees telling us what to do and be.  The thermometer of the world where we can feel judged by others, rather than beheld by our beloved-ness as God’s child.  The thermometer of the world where things move so fast our heads have no time to process and the frantic pace of painting the moving train of life causes exhaustion in our bodies, our souls, our lives. 

 

Many of you know the beautiful story that when Dr. King was worn out and weary, he would phone Mahalia Jackson and have her sing “Precious Lord,” to him over the thin fiber optic lines. 

 

To be a thermostat proclaims that I am fed and fueled by a deeper truth than what is trending on social.  To be a thermostat says my worth won’t be defined by another.  To be a thermostat says God is the One who I am called to be faithful to in what I say, do, and how I inhabit this world. 

 

Today, you might need to listen to a YouTube video of Ms. Jackson sing/preach those words to you.  You may wish to go and read the whole letter from a Birmingham Jail.  As you do, remember, Dr. King was confined and contained in a cell.  He did not have his theological library close at hand.  The quotes and references give insight to his brilliant mind and faithful soul.  You can click here to read the letter. 

 

I pray today you will do more than remember Dr. King.  Today, celebrate the deep faith of a man who sought to share God’s presence everywhere he went.  Today, let Dr. King’s words inform and influence your life for the coming year.  Today, re-commit to the on-going work of Racial Justice.  This is what our church is seeking to do with our Racial Justice Covenant being prayerfully considered at Annual Meeting this year.  I hope you have read that Covenant and felt your heart moved ~ I know my heart is inspired to work toward a world – a beloved community – we might co-create with God here in Sarasota.  I pray for God’s blessings upon you on this important day.