We all have dreams for ourselves and for others. Sometimes, those dreams can feel unattainable or even impossible. Many of us have aspirations for our lives, but what exactly are these dreams about, and for whom do we hold them? Our lives will leave an impact, whether it is positive or negative.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. Most Americans are familiar with him through his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. This speech is one of the most recognized in U.S. history, second only to Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 “Gettysburg Address.”
Years before his iconic speech, King was already committed to his calling. He dedicated himself fully, enduring hardship, name-calling, and threats. His dream transcended his individual desires; it was much larger than himself.
In a heartfelt prayer, he confessed, “Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, and I’m losing my courage. It seemed I heard a voice saying, Martin Luther, stand for righteousness. Stand up for justice. And lo, I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.”
Just three nights later, a bomb exploded on his front porch. Although his family escaped unharmed, King pressed forward with unwavering determination. He admitted his weariness in his work, stating, “I am tired of the threat of death. I want to live; I don’t want to be a martyr. There are times I doubt if I’ll make it through. I’m tired of getting hit, beaten, and tired of going to jail. But the important thing is not how tired I am; the important thing is to eliminate the conditions that lead us to march.”
In his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” addressed to local pastors, he expressed his commitment to justice: “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.”
He posed a profound question, “How long will it take?” He answered himself with hope: “However difficult or frustrating the hour, it will not be long. Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because you reap what you sow. How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. How long? Not long, because my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…”
The night before his assassination, King shared these resonant words: “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will… I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will reach the promised land. So, I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.”
While King’s eloquent speeches and passionate endurance inspired millions, it was his firm foundation in the Christian gospel that motivated him to inspire others. He persevered through doubt, exhaustion, and danger because his hope was deeply rooted in Christian faith.
Neither should you give up. If you feel discouraged, remember that you are not alone. The true King of the universe offers you enduring hope today and forever. While things may be out of your control, they are not out of His. Hold on! He is with you, and He will see you through to the Promised Land!