THE ADVOCATE'S JOURNAL

Several times a week, my regional director sends out messages to motivate, inspire and encourage staff to stay focused as public servants trying to make a difference in the lives of Texans with disabilities.  This particular email stuck with me “just because” it had a personal touch that came from the heart.  So, I asked his permission to post it on my blog….  Quote:

Just Because

Good Afternoon,

I was talking to a friend last night about when we get older and near the end of life.  What will we be thinking about in the silence of any given day?  By this time, many of my decisions would be in the past.  This is what came to my mind…

I would like to be sitting in my boat on a nice clean lake, wearing a straw hat to protect myself from the glaring sun with Vernell next to me.  I want to tell her that I loved her and my life.  I want to talk about those lunches and dinners we shared with our family and friends – how at times we laughed so much we could hardly eat!  I want to say that I held our friend Boris’ hand as he neared the end of his life, and we were there to give comfort to his loving wife.  I want to talk about my early college basketball life and walking with her in the cool night air when we were in college.  

I want to talk about when I was younger in a job I didn’t like, and I did everything I could to either change it or find ways to appreciate the one I had.  I want to talk about the first management job I took with DRS, the awards that Unit gained and the staff that became a part of our family.   I want to say that I moved to Houston to pursue my career.  Sitting in that boat I want to say that I moved from a comfortable situation to a city where my family and I grew even happier.  I pursued each job with excellence and the clear intention to support my coworkers and the agency I worked for. I want to speak of the Houston staff that allowed me to make a difference in their lives and those citizens of Texas with disabilities. 

I want to reminisce about the troubled Units that became shining stars in the State. About the growth of RST’s and VRC’s that faced challenges, but kept striving, and are now successful and satisfied.  I want to speak of staff that were issued performance levels only to flourish at what they do each day.  I want to recall the area managers who are now looking to take my place as the regional director,  the growth in life , and the work that I shared with all of my Houston staff as I sit fishing and traveling with Vernell. 

I want to say that it was a good life with no regrets. I came to Houston to join a team and after the many years of providing the “E3 Service Essentials” I am still as happy and proud as I was back on my first day.    

In your twilight years, looking back at your life and career with DRS, what will you be able to say?  

We Can Be World Class…if YOU want it!

I am listening

Unquote…

This question made me think and reflect.  When I look back at my life, what will I be able to say.  Each day is a gift that cannot be taken for granted.  Time is precious.  There are some things in life that’s too important to overlook— family, good friends, health and wholeness.  Enjoy every moment and when the time comes to transition from this earthly life to YOUR CHOSEN PLACE IN ETERNITY, you can be confident that you lived a fulfilling life committed to helping others; just because it was the right thing to do!

On January 15, 1929, a baby boy was born to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King and given the name, Martin Luther King, Jr.

The timeliness of his arrival was in proportion with his mission and purpose predestined by God.  Therefore, his growth and development into manhood, and his advanced matriculation in education were necessary to meet the urgency of mankind’s need to hear what God had to say and do for generations to come.

To the unenlightened Dr. King was just an intelligent man with great oratorical skills and a public platform.  Many honor him only for his fight against segregation and inequity in the Deep South.  For many, observance of the holiday simply means recognizing a great civil rights leader.  Yet, for some,  he was a voice that condemned the ugliness of racism smeared in the faces nonwhites and Jews. 

To others he was the voice of greatness— an icon to the rise of “black power.” To the degenerates, he was a dangerous threat to the kingdom of darkness that must be annihilated.

However, I know for me; he was ‘the voice of the Lord’ then, and now!

I was only sixteen years old when the news of his brutal assassination was announced at the small segregated school I attended in Louisiana.  To this day, I recall the emotional upheaval this news brought throughout the school as well our small community of underprivileged coloreds. 

In particular, I remember my own emotional outbursts.  It was a ‘gut-wrenching’ queasiness I’d never felt before.  Perhaps, like that of receiving the news of my father’s death.

I believe the prophetic anointing within me (not yet recognized or released) grieved for a true prophetic voice silenced by a nation rebelling against God’s will for humanity; addicted to hatred and committing heinous acts of violence against its fellowman.  I didn’t know then, but I know now that the spirit of heaviness overshadowed me because the resounding affects of an audible voice inspired by the Holy Spirit would be silent forever.  This man was the voice of the Lord!

I’ve read the history of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. several times.  But this year, it became clear to me that this man was born for such a time, even as this. 

His messages still echoes throughout the portals of time, and reminds us of the need for change—change that results in spiritually transformed hearts and minds—changed lives that conform to the standards of GOD ALMIGHTY, and attitudes that align with biblical principles.

 Everything that he stood for was in alignment with the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Dr. King’s messages were focused on man’s greatest needs.   And 40 years later, the needs are still great— justice, equality, and peace. 

God created all men equal, in His image and His likeness. Yes, we’ve come a long way, but we still have a ways to go until we all come into the knowledge of God’s will concerning justice and equality for all men.  There are still too many subliminal messages, innuendos, jokes and jesters, which reveal the secrets of an evil heart. Therefore, above all, man’s greatest need is a new heart.

Dr. King preached peace and nonviolence.  This message is relevant today because man longs for true love and spiritual peace. Wherever there is war and violence there can be no true love.  God is love! 

Therefore, there’s an even greater need today—a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He preached peace because Christ paid the ultimate price for our peace—peace with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.  When men are not at peace with God, there can be no peace with his fellowman. 

Consequently, wars, crimes and violence are inevitable in a depraved society.   But, there is hope because with God all things are possible.

In a message on Peace, in 1964, Dr. King said, “Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.  This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.”

Dr. King understood that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Because Christ is our hope, he declared boldly and with tenacity, “Let freedom ring.”  He understood that freedom is the reward of knowing Truth.  Dr. King knew that when America embraces the Truth, we would be free at last.

He was confident in his mission and sincere in his message.  He was not intimidated by men to conform to their systems of injustice, ungodly beliefs, and immoral values.  He stood courageously in the face of opposition to deflect the darts of unrighteousness that penetrated the concrete walls of pride, hatred and selfishness. 

On nonconformity, in 1963, he said, “This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists.  Dangerous passions of pride, hatred and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; truth lies prostrate on the rugged hills of nameless Calvaries.  The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of  a nonconforming minority.”

Ultimately, Dr. King’s mountaintop experience afforded him a privilege few will have in their lifetime—to see the Promised Land.  Seeing the Promised Land gave him the assurance, confidence and hope that we all must live by daily—that God’s kingdom will come, and His will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. King said, “Well, I don’t know what will happen now.  We’ve got some difficult days ahead.  But it 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.  And 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 believe this spiritual encounter enabled Dr. King to release everything and everyone into the Master’s hand—his life, his family, his work, his country, and this world.  He had answered the call of God.  He had done the will of God. He had lifted up his voice like trumpet in Zion, and sacrificed all for the Master.  He had fought a good fight and finished his course.

He had presented his body as a living sacrifice time after time.  He was pressed on every side, and oftentimes felt forsaken; yet,   he didn’t conform to this world. Instead, he was transformed by the renewing of his mind.  He understood the good and acceptable and perfect will of God; therefore, he proclaimed it to the world without compromise.

Today, the greatest honor we can bestow upon this noble man of God would be to surrender our lives to the will of God as he did; yield our members as instruments of righteousness for the Master’s use as he did—denying all for the Kingdom of God.

I ask, “Lord, will there be another voice that will take up the cause for peace, righteousness and justice in the Kingdom? 

Who will be the voice of the Lord?  Let it not be the voice of one man alone, but many that will be heard as one voice. 

 I pray, Let the Church be the voice of the Lord.  Though we are many members, let us declare in unison as one Body, “I am the voice of the Lord.”   

© 2007 Queen E. F. Phillips. All rights reserved. NOT-FOR-PROFIT use only requires prior written permission from the author.  Credit must be given to copyright owner.Reprinted and updated, Copyright © 2008 Queen E. F. Phillips. All rights reserved. NOT-FOR-PROFIT use only requires prior written permission from the author.  Credit must be given to copyright owner.