Today, we remember the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. We reflect on his life. We look back at a life that was sacrificed, to make a difference. And tomorrow, we will watch as the first African American president is sworn into office. We look forward, to the future. The confluence of these events is especially poignant. It gives me great hope.
Dr. King once said, “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
It is a decision we must make not just today, but every day. I think there is no nuetral ground. To do nothing is actually choosing the latter option of self-focused living.
I want to walk in the light of creative altruism. How about you? What do you think that looks like? Do you know anyone who lives that way?
Let’s talk about it!
I think you’re right…choosing to do nothing is really choosing to abandon the call of Jesus. This is something I’ve only recently been feeling and learning. I wrote a little bit about this (using the same picture, I think!) on my blog this morning. It’s hard to figure out what exactly we can do actively to make a difference, especially as a mom of preschoolers, but it should definitely be on our minds and hearts. I don’t know many (any?) people who really embody “creative altruism” but I hope our church is heading more in that direction in the future. I think it’s somewhere christians need to be headed if they want to make a difference in the world. Have you read “UnChristian” yet, put out by the Barna group? I think you’d like it.
Interesting. It’s strange, the opportunities are all around us and yet sometimes they seem too far away, maybe because we’ve come to rely on churches and other organizations to provide the opportunities to us. I think it’s a heart matter, whether the eyes of our heart are open or not.
I always watch for this guy on my way to work. I don’t know why he walks so far but on bitter cold days, I find myself clearing the front seat and looking for him, it’s about a 1 mile ride if i see him. Nothing big but it matters to him. It’s reminded me that size doesn’t matter, God is interested in individuals.