Thoughts on MLK Day

Today I want to take a break from the normal Monday worship lyrics post to talk about the special occasion which our nation is celebrating, Martin Luther King Day. This is addressed to people of all ethnicities even thought it is coming from a guy who is only experienced from the White Male perspective. I hope it is helpful.

Growing up I rarely paid attention to this holiday. I just knew it as the day that public schools got out but we didn't (I was home schooled). Now that I am a little bit older and have the ability to see beyond myself (sometimes) I see this as an important holiday that should not be overlooked. Whether you are working, in school, or you get the day off I hope that you will take some time to think about ethnic relations and civil rights in our country.

Here are some random thoughts on the subject:

(1) I agree with Placide Cappeau, the writer of O Holy Night, when he wrote:

"Truly He [Jesus] taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!"

(2) We ought to watch out for stereo types that we create. No one has ever given a better example of this than Nathanael:

"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.” (John 1:45-46 ESV)

(3) God was clear that He wanted people to spread out and be peoples all over the world. This was accomplished by the confusion of languages in Genesis 11. This did not only make for differences in the words we use but also vast cultural differences.

(4) These differences (language, culture, color, etc...) should not be treated as if they do not exist. However, they should not be treated with pride and contempt. Rather, the Bible celebrates these differences and uses them to show just how wonderful the atoning work of Christ really is:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

So whether or not you care much about Martin Luther King you should use this time to consider some things about God's plan for how His people should relate to others, especially those who are from a different culture and of a different color. This is coming from a guy who has a lot of growing to do in that area. So who's with me?

Grace and Peace,
Stephen