Epiphany – 1 January 2017

Wow. What an auspicious beginning to 2017? New Year’s Day and we begin the year with worship! I guess it’s a little too early to know how the year will pan out? Still as I have contemplated the last 12 months and considered the possibilities of the year ahead, I kept being drawn to Martin Luther King’s words in his well know speech … “I Have a Dream” delivered on 28th August 1963, in which he called for an end to racism.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!

There were many obstacles to face. He did not see his dream come true but was moved to say … “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”

On 3 April 1968, the night before he died, he was under threat but he was able to say …

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! And 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 came across a lovely little children’s book called “God’s Dream” by Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. God dreams of a world full of people sharing and caring for one another, regardless of our differences – not because we have to but because we recognize each other as children of God. “Each of us carries a piece of God’s heart within us. And when we love one another, the pieces of God’s heart are made whole.”

I am sure that we all share God’s dream and the birth of a new year gives us the opportunity to renew our efforts towards bringing that dream to fruition. This is my DREAM also, and I trust the Lord to see it through!