In 1967 Martin Luther King Jr. preached the following words as he pursued peace in a time of change: “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
But is peace attainable today? Between super powers? Between political parties? Between neighbors? For anyone watching the news, the answer would have to be “no.” The Father of the Civil Rights Movement must be disappointed as he looks down on the actions and words spoken by many today.
In spite of terrible resistance, King held fast to the belief that the “bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood” could become a reality. In his life and tragic death, he not only succeeded in changing the American culture, his work was lauded internationally as he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. It should not be lost on us that it was the PEACE prize. King had used peace as a weapon. He had militarized love and with it he had broken down walls of hate. To some, his methods had appeared weak, but he showed the world just how powerful peace and love could be.
Dr. King understood the importance of the Bible’s words, “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” He said, “We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.” Those words were powerful then and are powerful reminders now as the nation goes through this time of dissent and change. With barricades around the White House and fear in many State capitals, let us all remember Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s message: To have peace, we must sow peace, pursue peace, and enshrine peace in our national character.
Or we all lose,
Nancy
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