I Have a Dream Today

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Over 260,000 attended the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The US honors King on the third Monday each January, but today, January 15, is his actual birthday. As we head into this long weekend, may we be reminded of the power of his words. Sixty three years later, we still have so much to learn and accomplish from King's dream.

There are many beautifully written lines in the speech, but one of my personal favorites is this: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

In the biblical story, Joseph was often judged - by his family, by principal players in a foreign land, and even by fellow prisoners. He also faced a content of character circumstance. Years later, when his brothers come to him to receive relief from the famine, they don't recognize him. In two different situations, Joseph sets up his brothers secretly, making it look as if they have stolen from Egypt. In the end, the story shakes clear - but the tension mounts and emotions rise. Finally, he draws them in and shares his true identity

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

Genesis 45:4

Joseph had so many motivations to do the wrong thing. He had legitimate reasons for revenge, to pay back his brothers who had caused him so much harm. And while he put them in challenging situations - in the end, he comes clean. His character shines through.

Each of us in this moment has a choice about who we want to be. These days there are so many pressures, real concerns, and valid frustrations. We often can feel overwhelmed and small. But we are invited to dream - and we are invited to dig into the content of our character.

As we remember Dr. King over the next few days, may we have the courage to ask difficult questions about the world we live in and the people we want to be. And, as we draw on the lessons of Joseph, may we learn to be the people we want to be, despite of our circumstances.

Years later, Dr. King's daughter Bernice shared this quote: "You will encounter misguided people from time to time. That's part of life. The challenge is to educate them when you can, but always to keep your dignity and self-respect and persevere in your personal growth and development."

Joseph managed this, and so can we.

May you have the courage to dream today, knowing that challenges will come - and that joy is a gritty, resistant, powerful thing.