Matthew Costner

January 18 is Martin Luther King day. I’m excited about it. I love to hear MLK’s sermons. When I was at Vanderbilt University I took several classes related to him. It was so great to hear about his story, the cause that he believed in, the cause that he died for.

MLK acted in ways that were unpopular. He went against the status quo. He believed that justice would prevail even if he never saw it. He trusted in Jesus, even when times seemed hopeless.

I read a blog earlier today by my friend Matthew Paul Turner. You can read it here. He re-wrote MLK’s “I have a Dream” speech. His blog really got me thinking, how am I acting? Not, acting as is my attitude great (although I need to be mindful of that), but are my actions speaking just as loudly as my words?

We all have dreams, but are we actively working to make those dreams come true? Even, are we dreaming selfishly, or for people and justice and God’s will to be done? My own dreams seem to fluctuate, and yet at my core I dream for the redemption of East Nashville, and even greater, the World.

As I listen to MLK’s last speech below, I am reminded of life. We all have difficult days ahead. Life is not easy. But the test is, are we going to continue pursuing the dream? As MLK said, “let’s not let dogs and water hoses turn us around…” Like the Israelites, let’s not let Giants keep us from the blessing that is promised us. We can overcome hard times. Our heart aches can be restored. Our transgressions can be redeemed. To God be the Glory.