Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we recognize and celebrate the life and accomplishments of a man who challenged and moved our nation. His wisdom, courage, and clarity continue to convict and inspire us.
In the midst of persecution and animosity, Martin Luther King, Jr. taught that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
He expounded on this when he said, “Another way that you love your enemy is this: When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it. There will come a time, in many instances, when the person who hates you most, the person who has misused you most, the person who has gossiped about you most, the person who has spread false rumors about you most, there will come a time when you will have an opportunity to defeat that person. It might be in terms of a recommendation for a job; it might be in terms of helping that person to make some move in life. That’s the time you must do it. That is the meaning of love.”
In addition to his calls to unity, love, and brotherhood, he encouraged us to simply do what is right because it is the right thing to do: “Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? Expediency asks the question – is it politic? Vanity asks the question – is it popular? But conscience asks the question – is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.” May we rise to this challenge of these convicting words!
Happy MLK Jr. Day!
