This past week we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.

In my thinking and researching this man over the years, I have continued to gain respect for his faith, perseverance and impact. It is my belief that his life was marked for this greater purpose of inspiring the hearts and minds of so many.

One little known fact is that he was such a gifted student that he skipped grades 9 and 12 and although he was the son, grandson and great-grandson of Baptist ministers, he didn’t want to follow in their footsteps. He entered Morehouse College at the age of 15 and received a Bachelors in Sociology. From there, after much convincing from the then President of Morehouse, Benjamin E. Mays, he decided to study theology. He was ordained and went on to earn his Ph.D. at the age of 25 from Boston University in Systematic Theology.

It would seem that this blend of high IQ, religious training and born in bred passion forged a unique individual who made enormous impact with relatively little time on the planet. 

Between the accomplishments of his life, he wrestled with injustice, racism and violence for the stand he took. If anyone knew of the darkness on earth, he did. But, always, he clung to hope. 

"Only in the darkness can you see the stars"

May we be reminded this week that through the darkness, we can reach out and grasp at hope.

Committed to seeing the stars,