Love's Power to Change Everything and Everyone

I’m carrying on one more day of recognizing the power of love. The power to overpower hate with love. Martin Luther King Jr. did that and he gave his life for it. I started thinking about how illogical Jesus’ words seem to be in Matthew 5:44. “Love your enemies! Bless them that curse you! Do good to them that hate you! Pray for them who spitefully use you, and persecute you!" Does that make any sense at all – love our enemies? It does -- in the light of the ONE Who said those words and gave HIS life to prove they make a profound difference in this world.

How is it possible to love our enemies? How can we do good to those who hate us, curse us, use us and persecute us? And, even a step further, “bless them and pray for them”? It seems impossible, but Dr. King explained it well in this quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” There is another reason Jesus says, 'Love your enemies'. It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. That power eventually transforms the lives of people. We just keep loving them, and they won't be able to stand it. The power of our love will break down under the load. Love is redemptive, and that's why Jesus said, "Love." Love builds up and creates. Hate tears down and destroys. So build up. Create. LOVE!

I try to live by the words, What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD), in determining what action to take in situations. He set the example for us in every area of our lives. He had enemies – plenty of them. They rejected Him, tortured Him and even killed Him. He loved them anyway. And if we believe in Him, it’s time to be that kind of lover, too, and say to our enemies, “I love you. I would rather die than hate you.” When we live that way, we’ll find the strength to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who spitefully use us. Getting even with our enemies isn't even in the equation. Blessing them is.

We are living in a time where there is so much need for love, more so than ever. It starts with each of us reaching deep inside and connecting to THE ONE Who lives big within us and with His love, we can offer our loving selves to others, not because we seek anything, but because our cup is full of love and we have nothing more to do than simply share it with others.

I invite you today to be the change you want to see in the world, to be love and loving towards others. If we can let go of our anger long enough to pray like this, we’ll discover an amazing benefit – we’ll be putting ourselves in a position TO BE blessed and loved!

The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr

I'm old enough to remember when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 – 52 years ago. That date gives me pause. It did then when I was holding my one-year-old baby boy in my arms and hearing the horrendous news of the assassination of this passionate, honorable man who endeavored to make a difference in this world of anger and hate. It was only five years previously, sitting in my 10th Grade Geometry class, that the news came over the loud speaker that President Kennedy had been shot. We “paused” to pray, and later found out that he had passed away. Today, I “pause” again to pray earnestly for our country, our leaders and for an outbreak of a love revolution. As Dr. King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” And as Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. (Matthew 5:43-44)

The night before he was killed, Dr. King spoke at a church in Memphis. He had been receiving death threats for over 10 years but never shied away from public appearances. "We've got some difficult days ahead, but it doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I'm not concerned about that now, I just want to do God's will."

And isn’t that what we all should be saying and living out in our lives – “I just want to do God’s will.” Dr. King was right: God calls us to stand for what is right because it is right. Whatever the cost, whatever it takes, wherever He leads.

I know of no better way to honor Dr. King than to mimic him in and his memory by beginning each day with the strong desire to do God's will and to serve his God.

What does doing God’s will look like? I think it looks like Martin Luther King’s relentless pursuit of peace, goodwill to all men (and women). It is putting aside “anything goes” and living with zeal and determination to make a difference in this world. This isn't a day and time to muddle through and hide in a crowd or a cubicle or a boardroom or classroom. If I’ve come to know about those who have given their lives for our country and those who lived lives of relentless passion for others – it is what I desire my life to look like. So much good has come from the dreams and passion of Martin Luther King Jr. What will be said of our dreams and passion in 52 years?