The Redemptive Power of Love

 On this very snowy, wintry morning, recently home from a trip to the Southwest desert, I am very thankful to be here, safe and warm, on a day that invites some quiet meditation and reflection.

 It is Martin Luther King Day, a time to ponder all that this great man did to change our world for the better, and to recall the many inspirational messages that he left behind. He focused quite a bit on the power of love and peaceful protest to overcome hatred and injustice. One beautiful quote that I am drawn to this morning speaks on this topic:

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love, they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So, love your enemies. (from "Loving Your Enemies")”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, as we reflect on Dr. King's contributions, may we look for ways to show love to all those in our sphere of influence and to be forces of good and light in an oftentimes dark world.