The Dream Lives On

I deeply look forward to sitting and talking with Dr. King in heaven one day...about his life, struggles, dreams, and hope of future glory made real. Until then, with hearts of gratitude for how far we've come and souls that continue to long for justice to be a reality for all, we must continue to do our part in bringing the Kingdom of God to all nations.

(excerpts from MLK Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, 1963)

"...we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. 

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind [us] of the fierce urgency of now.

This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.

Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of... justice. Now is the time to lift our [world] from the quick sands of...injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for [us] to overlook the urgency of the moment.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.

Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

[White people] have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that... little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope.

With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."

"And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly

and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8