“I have a dream…” if you are like me these may be the words that spring to your mind when you think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My recollections of Dr. King are of a man of peace, a modern-day prophet, who cast a vision of peace and hope to a people, who in the area where I was growing up were very separated from my “WASP” life. We went to different schools, different churches, even for entertainment we had different sections of the theater where we could go.
And we may have used the phrase “separate but equal” but let me assure you from my recollections as a child, things were very far from equal. They were very, very far from equal.
During my time as District Lay Leader when we would have the cluster Charge Conferences or when I would worship with the churches on the 210 corridor I would often reflect on how blessed I am that we are not quite as separated now as we once were. I would sometimes think of the people and experiences I might have missed had there not been change, with sorrow for those who did miss such opportunities.
However, when I think today of the legacy of Dr. King a different speech stands out to me. It is his final speech before he was assassinated, “I’ve been to the Mountaintop”.
Here are the closing words from the transcript of that speech: “Well, I don’t know what will happen now; we’ve got some difficult days ahead. (Amen) But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. (Yeah) [Applause] And I don’t mind. [Applause continues] Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. (Yeah) And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. (Go ahead) And I’ve looked over (Yes sir), and I’ve seen the Promised Land. (Go ahead) I may not get there with you. (Go ahead) But I want you to know tonight (Yes), that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. [Applause] (Go ahead, Go ahead) And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
May we have faith as Dr. King did when our time inevitably comes to move toward the Promised Land and may we all be blessed to witness to that without fear or trepidation the glory of the coming of the Lord.
Blessings,
Pastor Peggy