Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks to Bob Hunter, diversity training specialist, leader, and activist for this link to three speech exerts from MLK. From the third speech on Vietnam, King refers to the "deadly arrogance (of the U.S.) that has poisoned the international situation all these years." King speaks on behalf of God when he says: I (God) will rise up and break the backbone of your power and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name.

It makes me wonder about the situation we find ourselves in now: two over-reaching wars on foreign soil, economic depression, environmental crisis, loss of standing in the international community, fear and intolerance. Perhaps it's these last two, fear and intolerance, that most resonate with the prophetic ministry of King. At the core of the civil rights struggle is the fundamental need and desire to overcome fear and move beyond intolerance. Some days it really doesn't seem like we've come too far. Maybe those prophetic words have become more real than we'd like to admit.

I, like much of the U.S. and the world, am optimistic about our new president, Barack Hussein Obama. He represents the opportunity for a new season of maturation in our nation. He bears a huge responsibility for leadership toward a new period of growth for the U.S. and the world. But he is not THE answer to our crisis. Together we must commit ourselves to new patterns and practices of relating to a diverse world, caring for a threatened creation, building responsible and just economic systems, and nurturing our children toward a sustainable future.

King reminds us that there are two steps toward such a world. The first is "Be still and know that I am God." The world is first and foremost God's. While action is indeed required by each of us, that action begins in listening to the voice and sensing the presence of the Holy One. Then comes the action, following Jesus, taking up the cross daily toward truth and justice and peace.

I long to live in a world of such listening and action.