Martin Luther King Holiday
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Martin Luther King holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January honoring a man who is known as the most famous civil rights leader. King believed in accomplishing change through peaceful negotiations. He traveled and spoke on racial discrimination and influenced laws to bring about more equal rights for African Americans. The history of Martin Luther King includes leading a boycott that eventually led to desegregation of city bus lines and protests against discrimination that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This great man was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for many accomplishments. The leader was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
The character of the leader is still remembered and honored today. He was someone who brought hope to the entire nation and served to remind us all that we are created equal. The Martin Luther King holiday is not just a holiday for African Americans but is a holiday for all Americans. The visionary believed that people of all faiths had something to contribute that is special and meaningful. King did not have the attitude that some denominations have all truth but recognized that God was in control and that people from all denominations and walks of life have a contribution that could make a difference for someone else.
The leader was a Baptist minister and lived up to the inspiring words about the right for all people to be able to experience freedom and justice. The history of Martin Luther King shows an example of a man who was larger than life. King was someone who truly lived as a Christian and echoed God's love to all people everywhere. The man endured much during his walk on this earth. Some of the things he endured included spending time in jail, being harassed, threatened, and being beaten. None of these things deterred him from goals of helping others. "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31).
King spoke of peace and reconciliation and how all people need to put aside racial discrimination and realize that all people should have the same freedoms in America. Martin Luther King holiday rings out the philosophy and message of the leader. One message that a person should take to heart everyday is to walk in love towards others. One way to remember the great leader today is to adopt some of these teachings into our own lives. Having unconditional love toward others is one of the main ways that we can serve others and be a blessing to them.
Martin Luther's message was for all people from every age, culture, creed, and race. He was not just a leader to America but has been recognized as a global leader as well. His inspiration caused others to rise up and follow his lead through liberation movements around the world. The history of Martin Luther King can show a person how to be a better Christian, how to walk in love and forgiveness, and how to accept things when they should be accepted, but also how to embrace change as well. Every person has to decide each day how they are going to walk whether it is in love or in selfishness. God has called us in his word to treat others as we want to be treated.
Few people have lived and left a mark on humanity as Martin Luther King did. Martin Luther King holiday should be acknowledged by all people because this man was for all people. This holiday learn about the man behind the reason for the celebration and take out time to recognize the contributions that he made. Studying about this great leader is bound to inspire those who do it. King is not only an inspiration to people everywhere but is a great inspiration to Christians everywhere. This visionary's teachings are just as relevant today as they were when he was alive. Listening or reading Martin Luther's teachings online can be a great uplifting experience. There are sermons, speeches, and papers that are available as well as his biography.
One of the things that remind us of Dr. King's contributions is his "I Have a Dream" speech. This speech is included in the history of Martin Luther King and can be found on the Internet by doing a search. Reading this speech can certainly be a blessing to those who read it. This visionary spoke of a time when all people everywhere will stand together as free and equal. That people from all walks of life will all stand together before God. The thing that will make us different is whether or not we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and put Him first. This great man left a legacy to all people by preaching the word of God and living a life that is worthy to be mirrored.
Few leaders have a national holiday named for them. This says a lot for the work accomplished by Martin Luther. Being in jail many times he was able to reach out to those who have experienced the same plight. King's home was bombed several times. None of these things stopped his crusade. This great man had a vision and that vision touched people lives. Many holidays come and go but oftentimes people do not spend it contemplating the life of the one they are celebrating. For those who have not studied about this leader, they should take out time on the holiday to learn the history of Martin Luther King.
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