Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King
Junior. Today, we also witness the inauguration
of Donald J. Trump, the first convicted felon elected to president. Half of our country celebrates this and the other
half sits in deep anxiety and despair wondering if our country is going to go
the way of Nazi Germany. As I sat down
this morning to do my daily devotions, I was directed to Romans 12:9-21. In this scripture I found good advice for
those of us who sit in despair and anxiety over our “perceived enemy.” In this scripture Paul reminded me that Love
is always the answer. Paul reminds me
that I have no control over the enemies.
In fact, the only thing I do have control over is my reactions and
responses and actions in this world. Yes,
we are to hate evil. In fact, Martin
Luther King Junior taught us that “our lives begin to end the moment that we
become silent about things that matter.”
Yet Paul reminds us here that in the midst of anxiety and despair we can
continue to choose love. We can continue
to be enthusiastic and on fire for the divine.
We can stand our ground when we are in trouble by not being silent. However, our words do not have to be hate
filled. Our words can still be full of
love. He reminds us that the things we
can do are this: Devote ourselves to
prayer, contribute to the needs of humanity, welcome strangers. Paul reminds us to consider everyone as equal
and to associate with people who have no status. Be respectful. He advises us not to pay back evil with evil
actions. He reminds us that revenge
belongs not to me but to the divine. So,
friends I commend you to be in prayer today.
Do not let despair overcome you.
Remember the MLK quote in the image: “Darkness can not drive out
darkness, only light can do that. Hate
can not drive out hate, only Love can do that.”
So, friends, don’t give into despair today. Don’t watch the inauguration if you don’t
want to, I’m not. Instead take control
of what you do have control over and go out and be light and love in your
community and in the world.
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