In the wake of all the polarizing political rhetoric we need to remember Martin Luther King, who called himself an extremist – but an extremist for love. This country needs more love, and where better to find it than at the feet of the man who brought God’s love to everyone’s hometown – Jesus.

Extremist for Love

Today is Martin Luther King Day – a day worthy of being set aside as a holiday. Many great people have walked through our world – King was one of them – in the stature of Gandhi.

I can still remember what it was like before King (it’s almost ashame that many young people don’t remember what it was like). I drove an 18 wheeler to put myself through college.  I had a driving partner – his name was Wash.  Wash was a Negro (as they were called then). We had some good times, but I remember one time in particular that we pulled up to a diner in Mississippi (this was in the late 1950’s). I got out to go inside and eat, but Wash had to stay in the truck. I brought him his dinner. During that same time, a Negro couldn’t go into diners in the South nor stay at a white hotel or motel.  Nor could they vote. But they could serve in the military as long as it was with a platoon of other Negros. King and Rosa Parks changed all of that. King died, Ms. Parks lived.

On a lighter note, did you watch the Golden Globe awards? I did, and I noticed something.  So much of what was done and said was for the people at the event, not the people watching on TV who paid for their folly. You could hardly hear who won what and the credits didn’t always tell you who or what was winning the award.  Reminds me of many worship services held today – in-house language with little regard for the unchurched.  Give it some thought.

Question: What other well-known historical figures could be described as “extremists for love?” Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

You Might Also Like: