When a situation seemed impossible, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advised an outlook of “creative optimism.” He encouraged taking action to “transform the darkness of frustration into the light of hope.”*
Think about challenges you face. How can you commit to finding new approaches to solving these problems?
Jesus taught to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. The ability to do so requires great discipline and endurance.
Each day, we get the opportunity to do right. We can go beyond what is convenient and comfortable to accomplish a higher purpose for God’s Kingdom.
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:46-47 NIV).
Showing respect to everyone evidences the strength of God’s love and establishes the foundation for justice.
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord, when we are betrayed or mistreated, please grant us the ability to persevere with grace and trust You for justice. Amen.
Reources:
Dr. King began writing the sermons for Strength to Love while in jail after being arrested for holding a prayer vigil, according to Stanford University. More history behind the book is available at https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/strength-love.
*(p.93) Strength to Love, a collection of Dr. King’s sermons from the 1960s compiled by his wife, Coretta Scott King
Amazon link for Strength to Love
