During the summer in Oklahoma, the heat can be oppressive.

 

When Martin Luther King, Jr. walked into Calvary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City in 1953, few knew who he was. The congregants just fanned themselves and tried not to think about sweating.

 

The 24-year-old seminary grad preached and then left. He had been looking for a job, honestly, but no offer came.

 

Years later, a deacon was asked how in the world they let MLK get away. He said, “He didn’t have enough gravy.”

 

In other words, the future icon wasn’t old enough. Didn’t have enough experience.

 

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…”

 

MLK had enough gravy to know that Christ’s commandment to love one another was desperately needed in the world.

 

The best part of his life’s work is that you don’t have to be an icon to do that. Each of us can model this Christ-like love to everyone we come in contact with.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, we thank you for those who went before us. Help us to pick up their mantle and keep marching forward. Amen.