A Dream
“Every valley shall be raised, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:4-5
Martin Luther King, Jr. references Isaiah in his iconic “I Have a Dream” message to the thousands gathered at the Mall around the Washington Monument. This occurred on August 28, 1963, at a time when our nation was uneasy with social unrest and racial strife. Dr. King painted a picture of the America he firmly believed it could be. Dr. King referenced scripture often in his messages and he did so a few times in this famous speech. One of those references is the reference to Isaiah which essentially calls all people to see the possible – that social justice and racial equality is to be recognized as God’s “dream” for His created. Dr. King’s work was to extol his commitment to the hope in God’s delivery (equality and justice,) and he counted on all people to understand God’s dream for creation. “It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. 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.’”
God created us in His image - All men are created equal. What does that mean?
There’s a Latin term I learned many years ago when I was attending The Bethel Bible Study training program – “Imago Dei”, (image of God). It’s a theological term applied uniquely to humans, which embodies the relation between God and humanity. It is rooted in the words of Genesis 1:27, where we are told, “God created man in his own image…” Dr. King understood this concept of being in God’s image and it is the motivation for what he so strongly expressed. All humans are made in the image of God in our moral, spiritual, and intellectual nature. No other creatures in God’s magnificent creation have these qualities.
Scripture tells us in both the Old Testament and from Jesus’ teaching in the New Testament that the Imago Dei refers most fundamentally to two things: first by loving God only, we reveal God’s image, allowing His plans and purpose to work and second, we are able to share God’s love with each other.
If Dr. King were still alive today, he would have to acknowledge that progress has been made regarding his dream and he would be humbled to see that his life has inspired so many to continue the work he so courageously and faithfully pursued. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can work toward his dream, draw from our diversities, and lean into our unity in bearing God’s image. Let’s continue the work of creating harmony so that God’s dream is fully realized.
Heavenly Father speak to us in this time of uncertainty. As we face the challenges confronting our nation, draw us together and remind us that we can overcome anything together, in Your power. When we doubt, move among us to show us that with You all things are possible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Shortened version of the I Have a Dream message