Following the glories of Christmastime, we again come face to face with the reality of a world in turmoil. The following paraphrased quotation by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks of a world we can only imagine, a world in which unarmed truth and unconditional love have the final word.
“I refuse to accept the view that humankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and community can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
Why are we so far away from this kind of world? Why are we still bound to “the starless midnight of racism and war?” What can we do to bring about the daybreak of peace?
Somehow, we must do what we can to end the rhetoric of hate that we hear from our leaders and potential leaders. How long has it been since our candidates for political office promised a daybreak of peace, a brighter world, a united community where neighbor cared for neighbor?
Instead we hear of the ways we will bomb our enemies. We hear words that call for even more racism and war. We long for a positive candidate for office, a candidate that is intent upon reaching for truth, peace, hope and unconditional love.
To be sure, there are harsh realities that may well require us to be at war in various ways. But isn’t it possible to proclaim a message that inspires us to good instead of a message that employs a rhetoric of hate?
We need a candidate that inspires us to become our higher selves. If we can find that candidate, we will embrace her/his spirit of all that is good among us. If such a leader emerges, we will follow her/him in rebuilding our shattered world.
May God grant us such a leader, and soon. And may God ennoble us to follow the one that inspires us to reach with all our might toward a bright daybreak of peace.
God of the Sparrow 🌱 By Kathy Manis Findley 