For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21 ESV)
On two separate occasions over the past couple of months I have stood in the exact same place Martin Luther King Jr. once stood. The first time was when I visited Washington D.C. and stood on the steps where he delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. The second time was when I visited New York City and stumbled upon Riverside Church. I stood in the same spot where he delivered his less famous "Beyond Vietnam" speech.
My respect and adoration for Martin King are no secret so it should come as no surprise to know that these moments were special to me. As I stood in those spots I began to imagine what it would have been like to witness those speeches live. I ran YouTube footage through my mind of Dr. King delivering those speeches. I imagined the atmosphere and the reaction of the crowd as he delivered those powerful words.
I was overwhelmed by the thought of standing in the footsteps of King. I could not even fanthom walking in the footsteps of such a monumental figure. But as a Christian I am called to walk in the footsteps of an even more monumental figure. Everyday I'm reminded that I must pick up my cross and follow Jesus Christ.
The more I reflect on the tall task at hand the more my insecurities become trivial. If God has ordained something for your life, why run from it? I'm not saying I have been called to be the next MLK, but as a generation many of us have been called to step into roles of leadership to create social change and to better the world.
The apostles had the toughest task of them all. They were called to continue the work of Jesus! What kind of uncertainties did they deal with? We know from the Bible that the apostles were led by the Spirit and were unafraid. They were even martyred for their beliefs and work.
We may face ridicule, but we have the luxury of not being under persecution and we are still afraid to let the Spirit guide us in performing the tasks God has commanded us to do.
I pray that one day I will have the courage and faith to step up and walk in the paths created by giants who came before me. I pray that I can be unafraid of what the world has in store for me.
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 ESV)
