Martin Luther King Jr. and the Promised Land

I've been reading a lot about Martin Luther King Jr. lately. A couple of days ago was the anniversary of his last speech. One story I read told of how weary he was, moved to tears by the great divide between white and black folk. Below we can hear that sadness but also his profound faith in his final words that night:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

And so I'm happy, tonight.

I'm not worried about anything.

I'm not fearing any man.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Like Moses, King did not live to go to the Promised Land; he was killed the day after this speech. Yesterday was the anniversary of his assassination. This recording of "Go Down, Moses" is so fitting for remembering Mr. King.

Have any of us really arrived at the Promised Land? Things don't seem particularly promising today. And yet, like the little heavens and little hells, little deaths and little resurrections, maybe there are little promised lands...in our hearts, in our homes, in our day to day lives.

Today I think I'll search for little promised lands. Will you join me?