Tire Your Feet, Rest Your Souls

Week Five: March 11-17

Text of the Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March, March 25, 1967
Video of the Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March

Luke 12:22-31
He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you — you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for hiskingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

By Marc Loud, Attorney and a member Emory Fellowship in Washington, D.C.

Before Selma, every state in the South was controlled by a group of men who never accepted their defeat at Gettysburg nor honored their surrender at Appomattox. Their outward refinement masked a seething doctrine of white supremacy, which Dr. King’s Selma to Montgomery speech mocked as “normalcy.” Blacks living under “normalcy” were never safe from the cow-whip, nightstick, cattle prod, lynching rope, burning cross or secret police. Because they were not accorded human dignity anywhere in the South, many African Americans left, including my mother and father, my father’s brothers, and many extended family members.

But still there was Hope. Not all blacks left. Among those remaining were women and men who knew from history that the secret weapon against white supremacy was the ballot box. And they knew from Scripture to bring even their most difficult problems to God and trust Him. God moves mysteriously and on February 18, 1965, at Zion Methodist Church in tiny Marion, Alabama, God consecrated attendees at a prayer vigil to secure the ballot. Jimmie Lee Jackson. Amelia Boynton. John Lewis. Rev. CT Vivian. And just after the Benediction, Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot by state troopers for joining a march to free voting rights activist, James Orange. That was the context for the remarks in Dr. King’s speech that “normalcy in Marion … led to the brutal murder of Jimmy Lee Jackson.”

Dr. King gave Jackson’s eulogy at a funeral attended by thousands, and later conceived of the Selma to Montgomery march to honor Jackson and demand voting rights. The Bloody Sunday beatings inflicted upon John Lewis, Amelia Boynton, and other consecrated marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge brought the evil of disenfranchisement directly under the glare of a united America. Every faith, region and race sent marchers to Selma. By the time supporters’ tired feet reached Montgomery, over 25,000 Americans had joined the Selma march. God’s consecration, King’s leadership, and Jackson’s sacrifice won passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The law gave blacks a nearly suppression-proof ballot. God is worthy of our trust.

But the men whose minds have not left Appomattox are still with us, this time attempting division through Holder v. Shelby County, discriminatory voter purges, early voting bans, and other deceptions. Still there is Hope. The journey from Tired Feet to Rested Souls always passes through Hope. We honor God with a message of Hope. America United.

Crosswalk

Breathe

Love in action…where should I march?
As you breathe in, say or think: “Love in action.” Experience God’s love in action in your breath and body. As you exhale, say or think: “where should I march?” Continue this breath prayer and on the exhale, release dreams that you have had for yourself to make space for the dream that God has for you. Do this each day for at least 6 minutes. Notice how the Spirit ministers to and directs you.

Reflect

In his devotion, Marc Loud wrote about the essential role of the ballot box in a just society. In your life, what role does voting play in public elections? Why is the right to fully participate in a democracy worth fighting, and even sometimes risking one’s life, for? What are some of your other reflections on Loud’s devotion?
How do faith and worry exist together in your life? How does Jesus’ promise in this passage shape your thoughts about racism and justice in our culture today?
In his speech at the conclusion of the Selma-to-Montgomery March, King does not shy away from the ugliness and evil of white supremacy. He calls on those present to continue to march “until brotherhood becomes more than a meaningless word in an opening prayer, but the order of the day on every legislative agenda.” In your community and in your life experiences, how do you see white supremacy and privilege being lived out? How do you believe your faith community can more actively oppose racism? What is your response to Rev. King’s call to “March!”
“How long will justice be crucified, and truth bear it?” King answered simply: “Not long. Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” What are your thoughts on this response? What does it mean for you, personally, this Lent?

Create

In “Lift Every Voice,” James Weldon Johnson spoke of African-American’s journey toward justice.

“We have come over a way / That with the tears have been watered.
We have come treading our paths / Through the blood of the slaughtered.
Out of the gloomy past, / Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam / Of our bright star is cast.”

Using poetic language, music, a sermon, or some other form of artistic expression, explore and illustrate that “bright star” and what this justice journey means to you and to God. Share your creation onFacebook.

Lead

Great leaders tell the whole story and help people find their place in it. Both Jesus and King were masterful storytellers who created new tapestries of understanding by making intangible concepts tangible and using everyday experiences to help people see their place in God’s story. King’s sweeping speech does a brilliant job of both encapsulating the journey to date and rooting people in God’s promises and preferred future.

Navigate

Put the finishing touches on the plans you have made and solidify the commitment of those who have said they will go with you. Will you travel together or meet at a specific place? Do people need rides or other forms of help getting to the destination? Schedule a check-in call to serve as a reminder.

Pray

Drum Major God: your truth marches ahead of us on a narrow path that leads to eternal freedom. Enable us to discern the power of your presence and the wholeness of your truth. Speak to, for, and through us to free us from all that seeks to oppress your will for us. Empower us by the power of Your Holy Spirit to learn and to tell Your story — the whole story — with clarity, power and the transparency needed for persons to embrace the fullness of your great love. Help us to avoid easy fixes, easy solutions, and quick answers so that we may deeply consider the complexities of matters and not wound others. You are the Most High God and there is no one like you. You are the source of our strength and you are the hope of our salvation. Root us in your promises and ever sensitize us to the move and plan of your Spirit. We are following you and we praise you for your willingness to lead us. Let your anointing continue to fall and reshape our voices and lives. In Jesus’ name we pray and serve. Amen.