With Liberty and Justice for Some…and the Legacy of MLK Jr.

In light of the unmistakeable reality of Man’s sin, we will never fully realize “Liberty and Justice for All.” So, should we despair with the masses, hunker down in our insulated nests, and distract our weeping souls with endless trivialities?

It’s an option, but not a satisfying one.

On this day, we celebrate a mere man who was animated by hope. Hope in the potential reality that oppression and despair can be alleviated by fellow human beings who refuse to accept present realities, and are willing to risk change by intentional acts of courage.

What limits other mere men or women, ordinary teachers, nameless lawyers, stay-at-home-moms, marginalized ministers, immigrant engineers, to take a stand for justice in our day? Has there been an erosion of confidence in Hope?

We witness bickering, finger-pointing complaints from all sides of society. But we rarely observe simple actions that cause ripples of good. Do you respect MLK Jr. for what he did? If not, why not? If so, what are you doing to help the “movement” cascade like a heavenly waterfall unto all the ends of the Earth?

On this day, I’m humbled by the sacrifice of a mere man, an ordinary sinner like me, who gave his life as a ransom for others. Why did he do it? What filled him with such certain hope that Justice could prevail? At the core of all his thoughts and actions was the settled belief that the Man of Sorrows knew his grief, knew it so intimately, that he too gave himself as a ransom. A ransom for all who cry out in despair for the light of Hope to fill their lives, and liberate them from the oppression of Sin, a cancer that has effected the whole human race and continually manifests itself in hatred.

On this day, the unmistakeable fact remains that one ordinary man lead a peaceful rebellion against the status quo, and an extraordinary event occurred. The world is better because of Martin Luther King Jr. Not perfect, just better. Our future rests in the hands of other ordinary efforts, and whether we see extraordinary good come of it depends on how many bickering complainers we allow to have the last word.

May God give light and hope to many more ordinary men and women, so the Light of the World will become preeminent in all things.

What does the legacy of MLK Jr. mean to you? How much of his Dream has been realized in your opinion?

The Haman Complex: How To Betray Oneself (3)

I am continuing to pour over the ancient story of Esther in the Bible. This morning, I reread Haman’s “bad day”. (Esther 6-7)  Arrogant deceitfulness eventually has its day in court. To think that in the span of just a few hours, what was built to execute a fine man, was the means for divine judgement on a pompous, self-absorbed fool.

Many suffer injustices all over the world. It seems there is no end to their pain and misery. We often ask why this is. The truth is, the suffering does not go unnoticed. There is Divine justice in the heavens, and the One who sees all, will come to the aid of the oppressed.

The Jews faced annihilation by a conniving social climber. There were only two voices that could spare them, and they were providentially positioned in the King’s court. It is often difficult to see how the events of life are arranged by the Unseen Hand of God to bring the greatest amount of blessing to a particular region of the world, in a particular time and place. Esther and Mordecai display the risky faith needed to speak when the time is right, and trust the One who promised to bless them and use them to be a blessing to others.

Haman hung from a tree in his own backyard, in full view of his family and countrymen. Even the King was not fully aware of the significance of the event. One thing surely remains for history to trumpet loud and clear. The oppressed are seen, heard, and eventually rescued by Divine Compassion. Only the blind miss it.

Questions: Do you hurt for the oppressed? Have you ever wondered why some people’s suffering goes on for so long? Does the story of Esther renew your faith in the Unseen Hand of Divine Compassion?