Dr. Martin Luther King and St. Paul

Fr. James Valladares in his book – „Your Words are Spirit and They are Life”- described this story:

„Dr. Martin Luther King knew many low moments. One night, for instance, his house was bombed. This literally plunged him into the deepest pit of despair – he hit rock bottom. In a state of utter exhaustion and desperate dejection he fell down on his knees and figuratively threw himself into the arms of God. This is how he prayed: Lord I have taken a stand for what I believe is right. But now I’m afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership. If I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. But I’m at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I can’t face it any longer.

In other words, that was Martin Luther King’s Gethsemane. But, like Jesus, he went on to add: I experienced the presence of God in a way like I had never experienced before. And that was the only factor that enabled me to carry on regardless of the outcome.

Today I’m thinking about St. Paul has been taken to Rome where spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging as a prisoner of Roman’s Court. You know, after everything he has experienced in his life (rejection by Jews, floggings, mockeries in Athens, stoning, ect.), after all this struggles, Paul could give up and stop preaching about Jesus. Probably none of us would condemn him for that. But he didn’t. Instead of he welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with his zeal.

I’m just thinking: what do I need to carry on the same job? Do I need more money? More time for studying or prayer? More people around me? What is it?

Probably all I need it is deeper relationship with Jesus and new trust, new passion for His mission.