By Rev. Dr. Joshua Scott
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is easy because of the profound and lasting impact he left on the world.
What is more difficult is wrestling with the ongoing lessons of his life, the courage to stand, to fight and to live for equality for all. In a time marked by social upheaval, violence and unrest, Dr. King’s words from a 1968 speech continue to call us to reflection:
“Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe?
Expediency asks the question: Is it politic?
Vanity asks the question: Is it popular?But conscience asks the question: Is it right?”
Dr. King’s life and legacy compel us to ask challenging questions. Are we remaining silent and comfortable while our neighbors suffer? Are we truly pursuing Jesus and justice, or are we settling for a comfortable religion that overlooks harmful oppression? Remembering such an impactful leader should move us beyond reducing his life to a single speech or a few quotes taken out of context. This drum major for justice lived with a radiant light that should cause us to look honestly in the mirror and ask: “Are we shining our light, or are we dimming it?”
Our world needs more light and less darkness. Today, we remember one who walked in the light, with the hope that each of us might go and do likewise. In his sermon “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life,” King declares:
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
Each of us must decide whether selfishness or selflessness will shape our lives. Today, we reflect on the enduring power of selflessness, how it can impact the world far beyond the span of one life. Altruism shaped much of Dr. King’s ministry and legacy, and it still has the power to shape our environments, our communities and our world. Dr. King helped cultivate love and led us on a journey toward peace. We celebrate not perfection, but willingness; not perfection, but altruism; not perfection, but a courageous “yes” to a mission greater than himself, a dream that continues to unfold.
King understood a profound truth:
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
This reminds us that life is deeply interconnected and that our actions ripple far beyond ourselves. The struggle for justice requires caring for others and learning to love one another well. It calls us to self-reflection and awareness, to ask whether we are acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). We must pray for courage and perseverance as we move toward justice.
We must also create space for lament, expressing the deep grief and sorrow caused by the many injustices in our world. While we advocate for ourselves, we must never forget that justice also demands that we advocate for others. As Dr. Cornel West reminds us, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” To live this truth requires humility and hope, hope rooted in God, as we run the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
Running and passing the baton is essential in a relay race. Without a clean handoff, the race cannot be won and may not even be finished. The United States men’s 4×100 Olympic relay team has repeatedly struggled with this very issue. Despite having some of the fastest runners in the world, poor baton exchanges have led to disqualifications, missed medals and heartbreak. Speed alone is not enough; the baton must be passed well.
Today, we honor a leader of justice who ran the race God set before him. Dr. King not only ran, but he ran with excellence, faithfully passing the baton to each of us. His race was far from easy, yet he finished it. Our race is not easy either. As we struggle for justice, our faith will be tested and our challenges will be many. Still, we run because running toward justice leads us to love our neighbors well, and this is our life’s work.
We run so that one day we, too, may pass the baton to future generations, so they can run and run well. On the other side awaits more than medals or recognition; it is a life well lived and, ultimately, an eternal home with our Creator.
Rev. Dr. Joshua Scott is the founder and Lead Pastor at Unique Church in Charlotte, N.C.