Thoughts Worth Considering

January 18, 2021

This is Martin Luther King Day. My mother often said, “Time and truth don’t often walk hand in hand, but they always end up at the same place.” While Dr. King was living and serving, many things were said and done (even a smear campaign by a national leader) that fueled hatred and prejudice against him and even led to his death. As time passes and history gets clarified, seen without the lens of propaganda, truth comes out, and, except for the most resisting among us, we see that his contributions to our world and the future are magnificent. He was an eloquent speaker, able to express timeless truths in timeless ways. His words need no explanation. The best way to honor him and benefit from his wisdom and leadership today is to slowly read his words and let them penetrate our hearts. Our world is still filled with hatred, prejudice, and bondage, both personally and in the wider community. Lord, let your truth speak to us. Open our hearts to hear without bias, and to understand our responsibilities.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.

There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Not everyone can be famous, but everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.

Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.  

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.

By opening our lives to God in Christ, we become new creatures. This experience, which Jesus spoke of as the new birth, is essential if we are to be transformed nonconformists … Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit.

We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.  

Love is the only force capable of turning an enemy into a friend.