The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who had hoped to be an inspiring preacher in a quiet small community. Instead, by the time of his death, he had led tens of millions of people into shattering the system of Southern segregation, splintering it beyond any possibility of restoration. He had fashioned a mass Black electorate, which eliminated overt racism from political campaigns and accumulated political power for African Americans beyond any they had ever possessed in their history in the United States. Above all these and other accomplishments, he brought a new and higher dimension of human dignity to the African American Experience.
He led a movement for the liberation of all races of people. This is important because it was a movement to bring about the survival of humanity in a world of freedom and equality. What was so unique about Dr. King was that he not only spoke his ideals with vivid expressions of emotion, but he also led people in a non-violent struggle for the fulfillment of those ideals.
As Sidney Poitier said in a tribute in 1967, “Some people can Talk the Talk, but Martin Luther King, Jr. could Walk the Walk.”
Once Dr. King made a commitment, he never faltered or wavered from his decision. In his religion, he was both Baptist and Ecumenical and a preacher of the Social Gospel. The Social Gospel teaches that it is a man’s duty not only to have faith but also to serve others: “To preach the Gospel to the poor,” Luke said, “…to heal the brokenhearted, to free the captives, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18)
One measure of Dr. King’s leadership, and the leadership of others in the struggle, was the willingness to suffer. The willingness to violate unjust laws and practices and to pay the penalty. If people had to go to jail for freedom, then the leaders must go too, and Dr. King went many times. If the racists were going to be violent, their violent bombings, beatings, jailing, and killings most certainly would come down on the leaders. It was Dr. King’s profound faith that “…unearned suffering is redemptive, and that suffering may serve to transform the social situation.
From 1955 to his assassination in Memphis, TN, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was both a greatly admired and loved leader and a victim of the ugliest kind of hate and oppression. But he never stopped because of his obedience to God’s commandment for him to show us how to live with one another in this sin-sick world.
He was a beautiful person, son, husband, father, brother, pastor, and leader. He had a brilliant tough mind and an almost unbelievably tender heart. He was a compelling orator who moved millions in his world travels and non-violent struggle.
He was a man of the people, marching with them in the dust and heat, in the rain and cold. He was a humble man who scornfully refused to become wealthy. Although he was a leader of very serious purpose, it is not well known that he had a lively wit and sense of humor, which he often turned upon himself and his staff. He was, by any standard, a man of boundless faith and courage.
“It is not how long a man lives, but how well he lives,” was said by Dr. King on many occasions. He was so complex, and his achievements were so profound that it is hard to really define his greatness. The African American Historian and former Senior Editor for Ebony Magazine, Lerone Bennett, Jr., thought of him and wrote: “The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. has taught us, all of us, Black men and White men, Jews and Gentiles, not only how to die, but also and more importantly how to live.”
As we approach the day of Dr. King’s birth, let us reflect on his life and how well it was spent in the Service of the Lord. His birthday is a national holiday, the first and only holiday for an African American. Let us spend this day in Service to others with a renewed commitment to making the Dream a Reality. For that is the best way to honor him. He’s not dead, for his spirit lives on. Bullets kill dreamers, but they can not kill the dream.“Brother Martin, HAPPY BIRTHDAY”!!!!!
This is Rev Dr. Wm. Rocky Brown, 3rd, letting you know that GOD and I Love you, and we approve this message because we want to motivate your mind, body & soul. So be happy and enjoy the blessings of The LORD today, my friend! Please subscribe to my website to receive these messages daily at http://www.yourspiritualmotivation.com. You can also buy my publication: “800 SAYINGS BY OLD FOLKS WHO RAISED US” from Amazon.com or www.wmrockybrown3rd.com or by emailing wmrocbe@aol.com or by calling 215-480-5333. The cost is $20.00 s/h included.
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