For MLK Day, 2022

I hope you will take some time today to reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Ming, Jr. He spoke the words in today’s quote to fight against the pernicious apathy that can be caused by pessimism. I imagine you can think of a time when you felt defeated and wanted to give in to the old adage: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. This posture is never the right one when it comes to living for God and engaging in the struggle of proclaiming The Way anywhere and everywhere the Lord leads.

Consider the words found in Job 17:9, “The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger” (NLT). Jesus followers must keep moving forward, even when that forward movement feels reduced to a crawl. Jesus followers must also keep their hands proverbially clean lest your witness become contaminated. The good news is we all fall short, and God’s way is one where we are never disqualified. Never forget that our redemption and restoration becomes part of God’s salvation story; just think of how Jesus used Peter’s denial as a way to exemplify God’s grace, not just in spite of his failings, but because of them.

Whatever today holds for you, aim to fly for God! If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. Whatever you do, though, don’t quit, but keep moving forward with clean hands, because it will help your witness grow stronger and stronger for the Lord, EVEN with your misses and messes.