Reconsidering Dr. King

Despite last week’s discovery (by some) of the 32 year-old Martin Luther King Holiday, and considering the current state of the race situation in the US, now would seem to be a great time to take stock of some things. We could certainly consider MLK’s personal accomplishments. We would not be remiss were we to focus on his international impact. Nor would it be out of order for us to look at what a big deal it is that we even pause to recognize Dr. King and what a struggle it was for his supporters to have this day set aside for recognition.

However, that’s what’s been done every year this time, for the last 32 years. So let’s take a moment today to consider Dr. King from a little-discussed angle. In the years since his gut-wrenching assassination, typically when we place a title in front of his name, Dr. King is referred to as, well….Dr. King. What we often omit, though, is the “Reverend” moniker that was given him. Why bring this up – to give him another accolade? To heap yet more praise on him? No – the purpose of shining a light on this is to remind us that, before he was the leader and face of the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. King was a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a pastor. 

But why is this worthy of mention? We highlight this to contend that, at the end of the day, all of what Rev. King had a hand in during his very public ministry – from 1956-68 – was a move of God. Think about that for a moment – the Montgomery bus boycott (which ultimately desegregated public travel in the US), the March on Washington (which galvanized the broader public in the fight against the scourge of open and legal racism), the Freedom Rides, the Civil Rights Act, the lunch counter sit-ins, the Voting Rights Act, the exposure of the KKK, and SO much more…..because Rev. King’s first calling and devotion was to serve God, all these things can fall under the category of “moves of God”. Because Dr. King was first and foremost REV. Dr. King, whatever strides were made because of him, God Himself deserves all the glory! And so THIS year, instead of just honoring a great man and his legacy, let’s give a shout of “Praise the Lord” for Rev. King! 

“And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15