Dr. King - Holy and Wholly Disruptor

 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."  

Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last year my Pastor continued her preaching series “ All In ..” As she journeyed through the story of Esther, she reminded us about the importance of taking action and taking the risk.  She shared about Christians who see God from a distance and miss out on the full experience of knowing God.  When we play it safe, we miss out on opportunities. 

Terri Clark says, “I think taking chances takes a lot more courage than staying stagnant and doing what's safe and comfortable “ 

“This is the safety test for me - When the pain of the risk of playing it safe is more painful than the risk of not playing it safe, choose to not play safe” 

Sheila P Spencer

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a living embodiment of being a risk taker. His ministry was not confined to the pulpit, but he extended his life and ministry to the world. In the words of his daughter Rev Bernice King, “He wasn’t assassinated because he wanted his children  to be judged by the content of their character’  But for dismantling racism, poverty and militarism. He wanted corrective measures to eradicate racism, not the delusion that it doesn’t exist”

“He wasn’t assassinated because he wanted his children  to be judged by the content of their character’ But for dismantling racism, poverty and militarism. He wanted corrective measures to eradicate racism, not the delusion that it doesn’t exist.”

Rev Bernice King

In the midst of the images, videos and soundbites that  will flood timelines and media, we often dilute the power of his legacy when he is confined to select phrases and soundbites. Grateful for a mother who made me read his essays and books, showed me the program bulletin from when she and my father went to hear him speak at the LA Coliseum.  I immersed myself in the autobiographies of his wife Coretta Scott King, his father Rev King, Sr and the lives of those who accompanied him on the Movement.  We owe it to his legacy to unbox and not confine his impact.  His iconic sermon “Beyond Vietnam - a time to Break the Silence '' was preached in 1967, yet nearly 60 years later, the message still applies in so many ways. We are beneficiaries of him and the countless other advocates who took risks and chose not to stay comfortable.

Yesterday a Sisterfriend and I were talking about the rewards of taking the risk or following the nudge.  Discomfort is experienced both ways, but I would rather have the discomfort of stepping out in faith than the discomfort of being stagnant.  

I honor the life of Rev Dr. King by honoring the voice of Rev Bernice King as she honors the legacy of her father.  She says the most authentic way to honor my father is to commit to the work of creating a more peaceful, just, humane world. Let our quotes coincide with conscious efforts to eradicate poverty, militarism and racism.

Take the risk …

Rev Sheila P Spencer

Speaking of the ancestors, I lean into this song by Donnie Hathaway. I heard that Donnie Hathaway cried when he heard the first mix of his song “Someday we’ll all be free” and it continues to touch me.