Inspiration

In one of my most recent posts, I referred to an African American theologian by the name of Howard Thurman. Thurman served as one of the many inspirations for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK was believed to have carried a copy of Thurman's book entitled Jesus and the Disinherited (I encourage everyone to read this book).

I am currently taking a course entitled Howard Thurman: Spirituality & Community. Today in class our professor read a letter that Thurman wrote to Mordecai Johnson, former president of Howard University, when he was 17 years old. The portion of the letter that grasped my attention was his work ethic. During his teenage years, Thurman worked 11 hours a day for $.50 and pressed clothes for $.25 all while maintaining As in his classes. This man was a focused and determined individual. Thurman and his family were poor but he did not let his social location determine hinder his drive and motivation.

As I reflect on how this man not valued education and hard work, I can't help but think how can I become better. What things in my life am I allowing to distract that is preventing me from fulfilling the purpose and mission that God has placed before me. I want to encourage us to begin to not allow distractions (whatever that may be) to knock us off the path of purpose. We must make the most of the time that we are allotted on this earth. We must not take for granted this life that God has blessed us with.

I also want us to remember in order to achieve greatness we must be willing to sacrifice some things. The ones we consider great had to sacrifice much. If we are not willing to sacrifice something we don't want to be great.

#thatisall

God Bless,

Rev