“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live – a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
I read or hear this speech and it brings tears to my eyes. Not of sadness but also, not of full happiness. Even while gaining so much, we lost an amazing and beautiful person. If you watch the video of MLK Jr. giving this speech, as happy as he may have felt to know that things would get better, I’m sure it was hard for him to accept that he wouldn’t see the beautiful things ahead thanks to his work. His facial expression shows a hint of sadness and maybe a little fear even if he couldn’t admit it.
The thing that hits me the hardest is when he says, “I just want to do God’s will.” I know that for any human being, it is hard to accept death, especially when you’ve done as much as this man did- finally being able to bring a whole country together. After all he did, I personally believe that he deserved to see what he accomplished, but unlike me, he knew and completely understood that there someone bigger, above him, in control. He was an instrument of God- used to do what seemed impossible.
Imagine yourself speaking with God. He replays for you everything good you’ve done, and what the outcome would be. You see a world, unrecognizable and beautiful, and then he says, “That was all possible because of you.” You get excited, your heart melts at the scenery, but then he says, “You won’t make it there.” Mixed feelings right?
Even while knowing his time was coming to an end, and that he wasn’t going to die in a peaceful and painless way, he still says, “So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man.” There must have been a part of him that was afraid knowing it was his time, but saying that he wasn’t, gave people peace. It reassured them that he was okay with dying now, and that he didn’t fear the one that would take his life. He could have hid, became less of a target and defied God’s will, but he knew this was the reason he had been born for. This was what he was meant to do.
“Like anybody, I would like to live- a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now.” It must have been the hardest time of his life knowing how he was going to leave this world and not have the chance to see his children grow up in a different and better world, but he was at peace. Just by knowing his children would live the life he wanted for them, I believe, gave him the courage to face the end. He understood that this life is temporary, and that his job was done.
To do God’s will and have faith in his plan for us, is sometimes the hardest part in life. The most important thing about doing what he asks of us is that he does amazing and beautiful things with our actions. He uses us to save people, and give them hope. He uses us to bring happiness and spread love. Sadly there are still racial issues in this country, but it’s up to each individual person to understand what real love and acceptance is. MLK Jr.’s death was not in vain, let’s celebrate his life by spreading the message he happily died for.
Sincerely,
Heidi