“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve … You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Drum Major Instinct, 1968
Dr. King sounds a lot like the apostle Paul.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (MEV)
But as you abound in everything—in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Grace and love, great together.
Good morning, Lord. The snow continues to fall, and work is cancelled. My neighborhood is shrouded in peace. True peace comes from You–internally, in our hearts, and externally, in our world. Fill me with Your peace, gently, like snowflakes piling high. Forgive us our frantic efforts to create peace through worldly wisdom.
Teach us to look to You for righteousness, justice, grace and peace.
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension;
it is the presence of justice.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Stride Toward Freedom, 1957
Justice, peace … and blessings.
Psalm 106:3 (ESV)
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!
Good morning, Lord. You know how often I procrastinate. Teach me to prioritize the right things. Teach me to do the right things at the right time. May I never put off doing the right thing, in Jesus’ name.
Today we celebrate the wisdom and leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a Christian minister, and he carefully studied the Bible. His wisdom was grounded in the Word of God. This week, I’ll connect bits of MLK’s best-known quotes to Scripture.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963
Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 (NLT)
Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything.
Good morning, Lord. All too often, I confess, I think too much about myself and too little about You. My motives are usually self-serving. My worldview pretty much revolves around me. I am quick to think, “How will this affect me?” Give me kingdom eyes to see the world the way You do.
Micah 6:8 (AMP)
And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?
Humbly, without a smidge of self-importance. All God, no vanity.
Good morning, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to You and Your Word, You throw light on my confusion and doubts. Not that You instantly solve every problem–You don’t, but Your light makes it all less scary. For that, Lord, I am grateful. Shine, Lord Jesus, shine. Make this day less scary. Light up the path ahead, step by step.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide me
and a light for my path.
Stumbling on the road ahead? Heading in the wrong direction? Tripping up on the path of life?
You don’t need a better flashlight or brighter streetlights. You need more time in God’s Word.
Good morning, Lord. I’d like to know where we’re going, but that’s not the way it works. You know, and my job is to follow. My heart wants to, but sometimes my mind races off on its own. Call me, nudge me, drag me back to the path You’ve laid out for me. Forgive my foolish wandering and show me the way to go.
