Devotions - Monday, Jan 21

Today is the ML King Holiday. The students at Clemson have the day off from school, in observance of Dr. King's contribution to society. It is also a "day on," a day on which everyone is encouraged to make their own contribution to the betterment of our world. Over 300 students, faculty, staff, and community members will join in the ML King Day of Service. A group of us from LCM-C are heading out to the Habitat house, to do some plumbing.

We remember Dr. King and his statements on race. What isn't talked about so much any more were his critiques of the War in Vietnam. One of the speeches he gave near the end of his life spoke of the "unholy trinity" of racism, materialism, and militarism. His talk of such things reduced his popularity even further than it already was. When he began to link the attraction to military might to an avoidance of addressing individual rights, he was shunned and even ridiculed.

I wonder, in honoring his legacy today, if his thoughts on war might not be those most needing to be repeated.

Rev. King drew from scriptures a deep appreciation for the challenge (and the gift) of loving one's neighbors. One of his books is titled, The Strength to Love. In it, he points out that it is easy hate those who oppose us; we might say that it is easy to destroy those who oppose us. What takes the greatest strength is the ability to love. Jesus knew this. Jesus gave his life rather than give up his love.

I have heard all the arguments for why war is "necessary." And I have been in many, many discussions about the current wars in which my country is engaged. But all the saber rattling of the past six years has done nothing to reduce the hype and the fear of "terrorism." Maybe it is time to develop the strength to love. Maybe it is time to listen to and follow the way of Jesus.

My attempts to give over this day to making the world a better place include a few hours of crawling around in the dirt and gluing some pipe together. It will also include prayers that - with God's help - we might grow in our ability to love others, particularly our ability to love those who (for whatever reason) might hate us.

Pastor Chris