Selma
It is 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. is travelling to Selma in Alabama. The reason is to lead a series of non-violent protest marches to help African-Americans have the right to vote. He faced strong opposition.
It was here he made the “I have a dream’ speech. But it was his many other speeches that would be the inspiration and give the resolve for his followers in the face of adversity. A few words struck me as I watched this film whilst enjoying my upgrade on the flight home last night ( I wanted to write about the upgrade from economy to business class but I didn’t want to boast!). The words:
“We can do this. We must do this. We can overcome.” By the end of the film President Johnson would say the exact same words as he rallied his own followers.
The film focuses on the 50 mile peace march from Selma to Montgomery and the momentous scene at the Edmund Pettus bridge. I loved the film not for the violence and the depths of hatred that man can have to man. No, I loved it for the heights of sheer determination, of conviction to the calling of mission and the obvious spirit within King of ‘if not me then who?’
As the credits rolled I wondered what we could achieve in the nations of our world if we approached our mission of sharing God’s love with the words “We can do this. We must do this. We can overcome.”
Today lets read:
2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 12
2 Corinthians 11:23 – 12: 10
So I call to you today as you are demonstrating God’s love to the broken world you are in at home, work, neighbourhood and in your leisure, pray, give, go. The mission hasn’t changed, nor lessened, the need is there. The Spirit calls:
You can do this.
You must do this.
You can overcome.
Sent from my iPhone
Missions Paul 