The Pink Elephant

The pink elephant in the room has always been race. I’ve heard so many people say something to the effect that they don’t recognize color or that race is not an issue for them, and when I hear that honestly I think how ignorant that is to say. Race is an issue because we are different and we are created that way by our Maker. To turn a blind eye to color or even sex is ignorant in that we should not turn our eyes from it, but celebrate it, embrace it and try to understand it. What makes us different and unique is usually the very thing that makes us special and complete as a people group.

With President Barack Obama in the white house and with today being Martin Luther King Jr. day, I tried to think what it would have been like to fight for something so passionately and not see it come to be. 40 plus years after his death, the country has changed in a way that he only dreamed of. We have come so far and yet we have so far to go, not only in this country but also in our churches.

I look forward and pray for the day that our churches show the same equality that we will one day experience in heaven. I look forward to the day where we can truly appreciate each others differences instead point them out in ignorance. I look forward to the day that we stand beside each other fighting for social justice instead of fighting each other.

To think that after Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I’ve been to the mountain top speech” he was killed the next day because he was passionate, dedicated and different is sad. Dr. King was willing to die for what he believed in and his passion was contagious as people today still fight for equality all over the world. What a tremendous legacy to leave.

Today I challenge us all to think about our words, jokes and sny comments. Are we killing the dream that was Dr. King’s that we are to love others? To treat others with respect? To love unconditionally? To forgive? We have the ability with our thoughts, words and actions to build up or tear down. As so many celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, celebrate not only what he died for but also what he lived for.

My question for you is this: Are you as passionate about something and willing to die for something as Dr. King was? If not, why not?