Three years ago, I (Wes) sat on the top of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and wrote a reflection. I then asked a complete stranger sitting next to me if he would mind reading it and tell me what he thought. He read it and said, "Who are you?" I answered, "I am someone inspired by Dr. King who also has a dream that our world can be a better place." Here is what I wrote about injustice and evil...
Lincoln Memorial - Washington, DC, USA. I walked to the top step of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and sat down facing the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. Below me, I noticed people photographing a spot on the landing so I walked down to see what was so interesting and read the inscription:
"I Have a Dream"
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
August 28, 1963
I tried to imagine the crowd of 250,000 people that stood before Dr. King, with millions more watching on television. He was the 16th speaker that day, standing atop the memorial steps of America’s 16th president (Abraham Lincoln). His entire speech lasted 6 minutes and 45 seconds, yet his words have endured for more than half a century.
Near the end of the speech, noted African American gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, shouted to King from the crowd,
"Tell them about the dream, Martin."
King departed from his prepared remarks and started freely "preaching", punctuating his sentiments with "I have a dream." At one point, he exclaimed,
God is looking today for men and women who will fight injustice and stand against evil (Romans 12:15-18).
Dare to ask God to use you to bring justice and mercy in the lives of others.
Awaiting great things,
God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?