Top 8 Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes
In honor of today's holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we've compiled the eight best quotes by the famous civil rights advocate and justice promoter. We've also added a few comments on how Dr. King's thoughts can be applied to our lives today.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
There was a guy once who bragged about how he went all through college without anyone finding out he was a Christian. My pastor uses this example often to remind us that we must not remain silent about the God we serve. Now, this doesn't mean you should go rally the streets, protest in the streets with Bible verses or bully people into supporting your beliefs. But, don't be ashamed to share your testimony with others, to answer questions about your faith, and start conversations that challenge and inspire others.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
As a child of God, you are a light in this world - bold, bright and full of warmth. Wherever you go, that light chases away the darkness. I'll tell you this now: because of that light, you won't ever fit in with the world. So, don't try to fit yourself into the world's mold, but instead know that your status and power is much greater than the darkness consuming so many souls today.
“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
If you're anything like me, you've wished before that you could have faith so big that God is able to perform miracles through you. And maybe He has. But, the truth is, you don't need infinite faith for that, because as Jesus writes in the Gospels, even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. And a mustard seed is super small. So, go say that prayer and see what happens.
“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Here in the Tirzah community we are great supporters of promoting ministry right where God has placed you - in your dorm, family, school, job and community. Because serving is more than just donating money, checking off those volunteer hours or doing a short-term mission trip once in awhile. Serving is a lifestyle that loves like Jesus does, every moment of every day.
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
We'll never cease to promote prayer in this community, because it the single most powerful tool that a believer possesses. As the Bible says, pray without ceasing, for with prayer anything is possible. Need a place to start? Support our Tirzah Prayer Wall - pick one prayer request or bring the whole wall before our God, because there are so many young women out there depending on these prayers!
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
You can't fight sin passively. Simply praying for an old habit won't make it go away, because God will do His part, but then you have to take a few steps of action yourself. Now, we are not advocating for you to go out there and start protests and raise up a ruckus against every perceived evil. Because like we discussed above, darkness is only overcome by light. So harness that inner strength in prayer and then be active in slaying your fears, bad habits and any sin that is separating you from God.
“It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.”
You could live a day and change as many lives as there are hours in the day. Or you could live to be a hundred and not bring a soul to God. So, recognized that this life is short, and you won't take any of this material stuff with you. Store up treasure in heaven by living like Jesus did when He walked this earth.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Living in perpetual wealth and freedom often insulates us from seeing the struggles of others. But, its important to remember that the homeless person starving on the dirt roads of Africa and the girl with an eating disorder and an abusive relationship sitting next to you in class are directly tied to your life. Because you were called to serve and minister to the poor, broken, needy, and wanting souls in the world. It's not a call to be taken lightly, so don't be quick to dismiss the calls for help around you.