Other than struggling to find clothes that fit in any mainline store or not fitting into airplane seats, first world problems for sure, I don’t know that I have ever been discriminated against.
Today is the day we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. This was a man who knew real discrimination and a hero for African-Americans but also a hero for anyone desiring to be more courageous.
One phrase in all of his great speeches has stood out for me I first heard it at twelve years of age.
King was speaking in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968. King was speaking on the Memphis Sanitation Strike urging people to urging people to seek justice through non-violent protests and peaceful demonstrations.
Towards the end of the speech he said, “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. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. 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!
The NEXT DAY he was assassinated. Dead.
The phrase that has always haunted me from the speech is, “I may not get there with you.”
He knew the potential price of his courage was his own death and yet he went on fighting battles in a war that continues today.
I have become a big fan of quotes on courage. As I think about Martin Luther King, Jr. two quotes really stick out for me and epitomize King’s legacy of courage in my mind.
John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”
While King, Jr. states he fears no man in his speech I have to believe that on some level there was great fear as he continued to courageously push the issue of civil rights. If not for him for his family after he was potentially gone. Yet, he saddled up.
Ambrose Redmoon said, “Courage is not he absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
King, Jr.’s judgment about civil rights was that the battle was more important then even his own life. And so he fought and paid the ultimate price.
As I look at the things in my life that I am working to be courageous on, none of them are life or death.
Yet, I’m not sure I’m as willing as I need to be to get on the saddle and I’m not sure that my actions equal the importance of my words in being courageous.
If you’re looking for a courage hero today Martin Luther King, Jr. is the man.
To hear the final words of King’s last public speech click here and look in the upper right hand corner.
Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Encouraging words on this important day. Thank you for such powerful insights and a great link to the audio of a defining moment in history. My two sons are the scouts that returned with a “good report” from the Promised Land… we have seen.
Thanks, Alex! I love you seeing your sons as the scouts returning with a “good report” from the Promised Land!
Blessings,
Dave
I didn’t know of his remarks the day before he died. Excellent post, Dave. Thanks for your encouragement.
Thanks, Bill! Yes, those are haunting words when you think of what happened twenty four hours later. He truly was a great man of great courage! Hope you and your family are well!
It is truly amazing to me that this fight continues even today. Our Country is torn apart every day it seems with black vs white, and this hatred runs very deep and is seemingly passed on from generation to generation. Many hoped that electing a President of color would help change these feelings, but I fear it has only deepened the divide. Each of us needs to take up the crusade of MLK and resolve and move past this terrible injustice. Our Country cannot survive if divided against itself!