The Power Of A Thankful Church

We live in a world that at times seems to be turned upside down – the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the Covid Pandemic; the January 6^th insurrection; worldwide inflation; global warming; gender bias; systemic racism; etc. The human condition is under siege on so many fronts. So, we ask, as did Martin Luther King, Jr., Where do we go from here? America has yet to achieve the vision outlined by King in his “I have a Dream” speech. Dr. King envisioned a world (not just America) where our children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their personal character. He had a vision of equality in America and a world at peace.

Langston Hughes in his 1935 poem, “Let America Be America Again” addressed the issue of inequality.

          Let America be America again,

          Let it be the dream it used to be.

          Let it be the pioneer on the plain

          Seeking a home where he himself is free.

          (America never was America to me.)

          Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-

          Let it be the great strong land of love

          Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme      

          That any man be crushed from above.

The dreams of Langston Hughes and Dr. Martin Luther King are not yet fulfilled as America strives to be America.

While we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15^th, we lament his premature death when the voice of one of God’s contemporary prophets was silenced. We should remember, however, the words of Isaiah: “Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses!” (Isaiah 44:8) Too often we wonder where God’s prophets are today, forgetting God’s desire as articulated in the hymn, “We Are Called to Be God’s People” (Moravian Book of Worship, #635). This hymn reminds us that we are called to be God’s people, God’s servants and God’s prophets. The prophet is called to speak the truth and to stand up for what is right. Consider the words of the fourth stanza:

          We are called to be God’s prophets,

          speaking for the truth and right,

          standing firm for godly justice, 

bringing evil things to light.

          Let us seek the courage needed,

          our high calling to fulfill,

          that the world may know the blessing

          of the doing of God’s will.

Martin King gave his life, striving to do God’s will. The contemporary challenge for us is to live, while also striving to do God’s will. This is the power of the church.

The Apostle Paul contends that the church indeed has all that is needed to be a prophetic church (I Corinthians 1:1-9). First, the church has the gift of community. Second, the church has the gift of wisdom and knowledge. Third, the church is vested with a variety of “spiritual gifts.” Fourth, the church has the practice of prayer. Fifth, the church claims the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Paul says: “I give thanks to my God always because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus (I Cor. 1:4). Paul describes here the character of a thankful church.

In these troubled times, as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. King, let us realize the great potential of a thankful church when we utilize all of the gifts that God has bestowed among the pilgrim disciples. A thankful church must claim its prophetic zeal. Let us use our gifts to make a difference in the world. A Thankful church that uses its gifts will make a difference.

Think About It!