We celebrate the birth of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every January on the Monday closest to his birthday, January 15th.  I am aware that there are detractors of Dr. King on both sides of the political aisle.  

I, for one, am grateful to God that He elevated Dr. King to the level of leadership in the Civil Rights movement that he attained.  Having lived through those turbulent times, I am keenly aware that a more violently disposed person could have achieved that mantle of leadership.  Dr. King made many statements about hatred.  One of his most famous is “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that”.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-4 RSV

There are many who downplay the role of Dr. King as pastor.  As the son of a pastor who had a personal relationship with Dr. King, Sr. and Dr. King, Jr., I know the esteem in which Dad held them both.  I am also aware of the foibles of ministers and the temptations with which they are faced.

I am thankful for the life and ministry of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the role he played in the history of the United States of America.

-Bob