There are times in my life when I am involved in discussions that because of the subject matter, I have nothing of value to add. I am simply in over my head and there are people in the room whose experiences and perspectives are way beyond mine. In those instances, I just remain silent, take notes, and try to learn something. One such subject is race.
As a middle-aged Caucasian man living in the suburbs, I am afraid that any thoughts I may have on the subject will only reveal my ignorance. However, as I attempt to reflect on the impact of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend, there is a very specific thing I am thankful for this year.
I attend Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. We are a predominantly white church who is trying very hard to become more and more multi-cultural. One of the things that makes our church unique is this suburban Atlanta church has an African-American senior pastor, my dear friend Dr. Crawford Loritts. In addition to being a great friend, I am privileged to serve alongside him as an Elder of our church.
Crawford mentioned it in today’s message and I agree with him, without Dr. King changing how our society views race, he is most likely not our pastor. I would even go a step farther. Without Dr. King changing how our society views race, I have serious doubts there would be a movement in our country today for churches to build bridges across racial lines and become multi-cultural.
Dr. King’s message would one day make it possible for a Caucasian family to sit under an African-American pastor in the South. Because of that reality, I have personally received the following blessings from my relationship with Crawford:
- My daughter gave her life to Christ under his leadership.
- Crawford reminded me that what a leader becomes on the inside is far more important than the public task they are assigned.
- No one has invested more in me theologically than he has.
- He has modeled what it means to have moral authority.
- Crawford has given me insight into how to raise a teenage daughter.
- Crawford showed me the value of providing solutions.
- Crawford always encouraged me to embrace and press into hard issues rather than avoiding them.
- When you hear me use the phrase “Jesus wants to tell His amazing story through your life”, I am actually quoting Crawford.
- Crawford taught me that Christians are never without options or resources. He taught me Romans 4:17 which says, “the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” That verse has sustained me during many dark times.
- And finally, I have developed a life-long friend.
When I think of the life of Dr. King this weekend, these are 10 things I will be thankful for. What is one way you have been blessed by the life of Dr. King?
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