Lincoln, MLK & Micah : bridging the gap between faith and politics, in the face of evil there is hope
One hundred and sixty two years ago…..
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.” Rising from the depths of the Civil War, the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, spoke these words as he announced a National Day of Fasting. (Can you imagine that happening today?)
Lincoln continues, “We have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient . . . too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
I believe Lincoln was an ordinary, imperfect, holy man, an inspired leader who called the country to examine and amend its ways and return to God. Abraham Lincoln is both president and prophet. He bridges the gap between faith and politics.
Fifty seven years ago…
Today we honor another ordinary holy man. In his now famous and final Sunday sermon preached at the National Cathedral on March 31, 1968, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, are as relevant today as they were then. “Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.”
As with Lincoln and all prophets, King’s words pierce the veneer of culture and call all citizens to self examination. “On some positions, cowardice asks the question: Is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question: Is it politic? Vanity asks the question: Is it popular? Conscience asks the question: Is it right?” Then comes King’s call to action, “There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.” King was an ordinary holy man, bridging the gap between faith and politics, calling on every citizen to be ordinary holy men and holy women and speak up for what is right.
Here is the thing. Prophets are ordinary people who dare to speak when others are silent. Prophets are people like you and me who choose to stand on the ground of our relationship with God even when it is not expedient, politic or popular because prophets are ordinary people who live by our conscience and choose to speak up for “What is right” even, and perhaps especially, when it makes us uncomfortable.
Are prophets perfect? No. This is actually good news because, prophets are ordinary people like you and me (no one has ever accused me of being perfect). Prophets know that God is present and active in the world today and, in spite of their fear and trepidation, take responsibility to be co-workers with God.
The essence of MLK’s sermon is simple. Affirming the opening words of the Declaration of Independence, King speaks politics. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
King marries politics with faith by declaring unswerving support for the rule of law and justice (remember, he lived in the shadow of the Jim Crow Era, racial segregation and injustice). Then he clarifies how justice and the rule of law cohere; any rule that degrades a human person is unjust.
I like to imagine MLK showing up in the Capital Rotunda today preaching, “Dear people of God, people of this great nation, it is time for us to claim our identity as ordinary holy men and holy women, to examine ourselves, our lives and our world and confess the ways we have turned away from God AND one another. It is time for us to speak out against evil that contradicts God’s value of all people. It is time for us to be co-workers with God.”
As I write these words I feel uncomfortable. How about you? We all know what may happen to ordinary holy people who dare to speak and live their conscience. (jobs lost, falling from favor of those in charge, untimely death). Still, we are meant to be co-workers with God, to put our faith in God, with whom all things are possible, to follow the direction of the ancient prophet Micah, “to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” (6.8)
So let me ask you. Are you willing to be a co-worker with God? Are you willing to do what your conscience tells you is right? Are you willing to be an ordinary holy woman or holy man and speak up when others are silent? And if you are feeling uncomfortable or down right terrified, remember God is with you, all the time. And, with God, nothing will be impossible.
Thank you for reading these words,
written by grace and the grit of a real human being. Debra Asis
You may also appreciate
The Devil Disguised As An Angel of Light : shall we dance?
INVITATION — will you join me tracing the trail of Jeweled Breadcrumbs? Please add your stories of Jeweled Breadcrumbs in the comments. I will respond.
If you find this post meaningful….
please stay on the site for 30+ seconds & share with friends!
clap as many times as you like
leave your comments or questions! …. I would love to hear from you.
Subscribe on the Medium site to receive an email whenever I post.
Thank you.
The assignment that brings me to the writing of these words is to unapologetically tell the story of how God nudges, cajoles, drop kicks and masters me to be the real human being that I am … becoming … following God’s Jeweled Breadcrumbs. My daily writing challenge for 2025 is to share the Breadcrumbs with you.
You may also visit me at https://www.debraasis.org/
