Long Way Here

I remember that today is the birthday to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. He would be 94 years old today.

In honor of Martin Luther King Day on Monday I’ll share various excerpts and quotes from his speeches and books. I’m breaking my sabbatical rule to post once each day this week as I did last year. My hope is that all who read will see the Rev. Dr. King in context. Let’s begin with two of his more familiar excerpts.

The same Rev. Dr. King that said this in August of 1963,

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” ~ I Have a Dream Speech

first said this in April of 1963:

“First I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action;” who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”~ Letter from Birmingham Jail

We need the Rev. Dr. King in context.

We rejoice in the coming of Christ, but it’s not enough for Christ to have been born.

Today marks the season of Epiphany (the name “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word Epiphania and means “to show, make known, or reveal.”)

Epiphany begins with the Magi receiving an order from King Herod and disobeying that order because of a word from God. The Magi had to make a choice, to trust God in King Jesus or trust King Herod. They trusted God.

Among the many beautiful things we receive during Epiphany is an invitation. We are invited to trust God in King Jesus, or we can go on trusting King Herod. The reality is, both kings are at work in the world creating all sorts of tension in our lives. Both kings make promises and offer what they believe to be the ‘good life.’ Sometimes their decrees are aligned, sometimes they are not. It is when they are not that a choice must be made. There is no room in the throne room of our hearts for two kings or two kingdoms. We cannot split our allegiance. In our lives one must submit to another. Thanks be to God, Epiphany is tied to the Christmas promise: the way of God in King Jesus and the governance of his Kingdom is our true liberation and our way to hope, peace, joy, and love.

Jesus is our King and the Light unto the nations. During this season of Epiphany may the Light of the World liberate our consciousness and set our hearts free.

In the young mother Mary’s groaning of labor, God as divine Mid-Wife delivered salvation and liberation to all who trust and believe.

Christ is here.

God is with us.

Watching and listening to what is happening in the USA concerning Christianity, I am reminded that if it doesn’t walk like Jesus, talk like Jesus, or act like Jesus, it’s not Jesus.

As Christian Nationalism gains significant traction, including White Christin Nationalism, it’s important to remember that Jesus didn’t call his disciples to affiliation, but participation. Followers of Jesus follow the teachings of Jesus and imitate the life of Jesus.

History shows us that just because an ideology is taught by a Church and displays Jesus’ name doesn’t mean it is of Jesus. (See Matthew 25:31-40, 7:15-23; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

Be mindful, y’all.