Yesterday was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Simply put, he is one of my heroes. Talk about stepping up to the plate for what is right. Talk about not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.
I often wonder how, when he was faced with what must have seemed like insurmountable odds, that he chose to take the high road, the hard road to do what was right at great personal jeopardy. How did Martin face such hatred. Did he wake up in the middle of the night full of fear? Did he call out to God asking..."Lord, why is this so hard?" "Why me God?" "What would you have me do Lord?" I imagine he did. I know that I do.
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is:
Faith is taking the first step
Even when you don't see the whole staircase.
And I imagine that even with Dr. King's faith came a certain amount of fear. It's part of the human condition.
Last night I felt called to watch a movie I haven't seen before. I was cleaning the basement and stumbled upon it. It's called "Facing the Giants." It's about a Christian high school football team and their coach. Long story short, almost every part of the coach's life falls apart. His faith is tested. But instead of turning toward the fear, He turns toward God. Like Job in the Old Testament, the coach crys out to his Lord. The coach feels so afraid. Life is not turning out as he had hoped and planned. He is racked with fear and self-doubt.
An old friend and former coach comes to see him and tells him this. In the Bible, 365 times, God says these profound words,
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." 365 times...one reminder for every day of the year!
As I heard these words I started to weep. Mind you that's not the quiet easy-to-be-around kind of cry. That's the, as Oprah Winfrey says, "the big, ugly cry" where you can't see and your nose runs. It's the kind of cry that opens up your heart and soul. I felt as if that reminder was there just for me. "Do not be afraid" "Do not be afraid!"
What am I so afraid of? Well there's a long list. Now most of these are well disguised under my very professional exterior :), yet those fears, large and small, can erode my peace of mind and serenity. What if I don't lose weight this week? What if this very hard consultation can't help the people who need help? What should I do to help student X. Y, or Z? How can I make more time for God? What if a family member really doesn't like me? The list of small, soul-eroding doubts can sap my energy.
Yet the message was plain and the message was simple. The message came in neon lights and big block letters!
"Do not be afraid for I am with you."
My God is a God who does not sound the trumpet to retreat when things get tough or doubts surface. My God is a God who stands by me in any illness, in any storm, in any time of hurt, and in times of triumph!
So today I will listen to God and I will listen to Dr. King. I will go on faith, even when I don't see the whole staircase! I will believe that even in the hardest moments this week, and some big ones are coming, I will look to my Lord for the strength I need!
I will remember that there is HOPE for every day....Do not be afraid for I am with you.And you know what?...I believe Him!
God Bless! Love and Hugs to all who read this! Linda
I often wonder how, when he was faced with what must have seemed like insurmountable odds, that he chose to take the high road, the hard road to do what was right at great personal jeopardy. How did Martin face such hatred. Did he wake up in the middle of the night full of fear? Did he call out to God asking..."Lord, why is this so hard?" "Why me God?" "What would you have me do Lord?" I imagine he did. I know that I do.
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is:
Faith is taking the first step
Even when you don't see the whole staircase.
And I imagine that even with Dr. King's faith came a certain amount of fear. It's part of the human condition.
Last night I felt called to watch a movie I haven't seen before. I was cleaning the basement and stumbled upon it. It's called "Facing the Giants." It's about a Christian high school football team and their coach. Long story short, almost every part of the coach's life falls apart. His faith is tested. But instead of turning toward the fear, He turns toward God. Like Job in the Old Testament, the coach crys out to his Lord. The coach feels so afraid. Life is not turning out as he had hoped and planned. He is racked with fear and self-doubt.
An old friend and former coach comes to see him and tells him this. In the Bible, 365 times, God says these profound words,
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." 365 times...one reminder for every day of the year!
As I heard these words I started to weep. Mind you that's not the quiet easy-to-be-around kind of cry. That's the, as Oprah Winfrey says, "the big, ugly cry" where you can't see and your nose runs. It's the kind of cry that opens up your heart and soul. I felt as if that reminder was there just for me. "Do not be afraid" "Do not be afraid!"
What am I so afraid of? Well there's a long list. Now most of these are well disguised under my very professional exterior :), yet those fears, large and small, can erode my peace of mind and serenity. What if I don't lose weight this week? What if this very hard consultation can't help the people who need help? What should I do to help student X. Y, or Z? How can I make more time for God? What if a family member really doesn't like me? The list of small, soul-eroding doubts can sap my energy.
Yet the message was plain and the message was simple. The message came in neon lights and big block letters!
"Do not be afraid for I am with you."
My God is a God who does not sound the trumpet to retreat when things get tough or doubts surface. My God is a God who stands by me in any illness, in any storm, in any time of hurt, and in times of triumph!
So today I will listen to God and I will listen to Dr. King. I will go on faith, even when I don't see the whole staircase! I will believe that even in the hardest moments this week, and some big ones are coming, I will look to my Lord for the strength I need!
I will remember that there is HOPE for every day....Do not be afraid for I am with you.And you know what?...I believe Him!
God Bless! Love and Hugs to all who read this! Linda
6 comments:
From what I have learned and heard Martin Luther King Jr. sounds like a great person! I remember seeing the movie Facing The Giants and as you said, the coach's world did pretty much fall apart. He's just like Job once again as you said. I recently heard the story of Job in church. It's a great thing that both men turned to God instead of turning to fear!
I love you, Mom. XOXO
I have FAITH in you! Something wonderful happened today. . . .I was busily working at work and some beautiful purple orchids came through the door. . .. I smiled. I smiled all day knowing they were from you. Thank you so much for the thoughtful surprise. I am truly touched by you and your example. Hugs to you. God speed.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. If he would not have been so brave, I don't know where that would leave us today.
Love Madison
Ah the simple reminders of our Lord's strength and promises. Simple yet so hard to keep at the front of my plate on daily basis. My simplest reminder of God's love is to listen to music. Here are a few favorites: Go get them on iTunes!
Grace like Rain--Todd Agnew
Enough--Barlow Girl
Word of God Speak--Mercy Me
I love fellow multi thinkers and taskers, that is definitely you momma Linda!
Kim
Oh and Linda, here's my new favorite...My Savior My God--Aaron Shust.
XO
Kim
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