Martin Luther King Jr. was such a profound Civil Rights leader and hero, that today, he has a day in the year dedicated to him and is quoted frequently in our society. However, what many may not realize is that Martin Luther King Jr. was driven to do what he did because of his Christian faith. His non-violence efforts of “love your neighbor” (Mark 12:31), “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39), and “love your enemy” (Matthew 5:44) were so inspiring that in 1963, he helped lead a march of 250,000 people in Washington D.C.
At this very gathering, Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most compelling speeches that included phrases such as: “In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred,” and “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
What did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ask of those 250,000 people that day?
Love.
He asked them to love because he believed that love was the only way people of all skin color would sit at “the table of brotherhood” in this country.
Fast forward 52 years later, and you would see another march in Washington D.C., except this one was much bigger. An estimated 800,000 people marched into Washington D.C. in 2015 for a similar cause.
Love.
This time for a love of life.
And if you read the post on Biking for Babies website last week by Jimmy Becker, you would have heard a similar message to the message given in 1963 by Martin Luther King Jr. Jimmy’s message last week was, “love changes everything.” The distinct similarities in Jimmy and Martin Luther King Jr.’s message is to love like Jesus taught us. “Pain is a part of love” as Jimmy put it. When Martin Luther King Jr. addressed those 250,000 people he stressed that “now” is the time; he asked for action. And today, I do the same for you.
Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the political changes in 1963 were only a part of the battle. The much larger part was the societal battle, and I stress the same for you. If you went to the March for Life event this year, I sincerely say, “you rock!” But if you believe that is all you are called to do for the “pro-life” cause, then I am here to challenge you. You have made your political stand like Mr. King Jr. did, but now take action in the societal sense.
Visit a pregnancy resource center, volunteer at a pregnancy resource center, support Biking for Babies, help someone through the adoption process, etc. We must love, and love requires pain. Sacrifice the time to listen to a struggling young mother-to-be; spend the money to give a mother a chance at raising her child; sweat, bleed, and hurt for the one who feels hopeless.
I will sweat, I will hurt, and I will sacrifice all I can to give anyone a chance at a healthy and happy life.
Will you join me?
