Crossing Over: The Other Side of Change
“I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land” — Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As I sit here today reflecting on the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I childishly wonder, what would our world be like if he were still living?
Would we be further along in our fight for equality and justice?
Would we need to question whether or not going to Bible Study was safe?
Would there have been a loss of life for Trevon Martin, Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others?
Would Martin have been our first African American president?
Even though Dr. King often stood in the physical presence of crowds, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, he saw the other side of change — The Promised Land.
He said:
“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” (Excerpt from I’ve Been to the Mountaintop, delivered April 3, 1968, Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee)
What did Dr. King see over in the Promised Land?
How much change did he see on the other side of the promise?
Did he see just enough to appease a movement? Or did he see changes that would propel the movement?
Did Martin foresee the state of this nation on Monday, January 17, 2022?
There are so many unanswered questions, and we may never know the answer to the “what if.” But there is one thing we do know, “… all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV)
To reach what is ahead — to get to the promise, we have to dismiss what is behind — the bad memories, toxic relationships, past failures, or anything that might distract our focus from God.
The other side of change is dependent upon us.
Martin did his part. He saw the vision. He wrote the vision (in his speech), and he spoke the vision. His words were clear, plain, and eloquent enough for all to understand.
The change we want to see in this 21st Century begins with us. It will require us to grab hold of the baton and run with the vision.
No, Dr. King will not make it to the Promise Land with us, but like him, we must have faith, trust, and belief in the sovereignty of God.
Dr. King said, “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.” (Excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, as part of the March on Washington)
He saw a Level Playing Field.
I ask you today, what do you see?
Join me next time for Coffee on The Couch.