I Have a Dream

Today I attended a Cultural Diversity seminar hosted by Meritus. Pastor Darin Mency of the Greater Campher Temple in Hagerstown, MD delivered a spoken rendition of the Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech. It was so moving and inspirational and has to still be one of the greatest speeches of all time. Dr. King soke so much truth we still need to hear and act upon. 

One section I wanted to comment on here...

"When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt."

I can't help but be reminded of the great promise we all have from Romans 8:16-17 that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Unlike the America in Dr. King's insightful analogy, God will never default on his promises. His checks will never come back marked insufficient funds. Dr. King was right to refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. There is still today and forever will be no end to God's justice and his goodness. His promises and his gifts are for all humanity. I pray America will one day be the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream. That will only happen if we all personally choose to honor this sacred obligation and share justice with everyone through our life, our words, and our actions. The justice, goodness, kindness, and dignity we have received as heirs and co-heirs with Christ can freely flow through all of us to others when we allow the Holy Spirit to do his work in us.

Rom 8:16-17 (ESV) "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

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