King’s reminder: Everyone can be great

By Michael Ferguson II

The new year 2025 has already brought with it terrorist attacks from home-grown terrorists, and national disasters on the West Coast, which is being consumed by fires. Prayers go out to all of those affected through loss of property or life.

However, no matter what situation or dilemma that may encompass us, it’s good to know that we all can be great.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s national holiday is upon us, and many will honor his legacy in various ways. It is the intent of this article to bring to remembrance a proverb coined by this national and international treasure.

I quote Dr. King: ”Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

This idea wasn’t original; Dr. King had an earned Doctorial Degree in Theology from Crozer Theological Seminary. The Biblical reference of serving was mandated in Mark 10: 35-45.

35: Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

36: “What is your request?” he asked.

37: They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

38: But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

39: “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able.”

Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering.

40: “But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

41: When the 10 other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42: So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43: But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44: and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45: For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

There is nothing new under the sun. Politicians and those in authority flaunt authority over those under them even in today’s climate.

I often am reminded that “promotion comes from God, not man.” Do your best at whatever task is assigned you because it becomes a way of life. It builds character and opens doors that no man can shut.

Dr. King’s full sermon “Drum Major Instinct” deals with the human nature and desire to be recognized and praised. The sermon can be accessed on YouTube and is still relevant today. Trust me.

Dr. King canonized much of my theology as a child. A teacher assigned an essay on Dr. King in elementary school, and my father drew a picture of Dr. King for my report. A very good depiction, I might add. I remember the picture more than the report; (thanks, Dad!) my young mind concluded that Dr. King and those engaged in the movement referred to as the “Civil Rights Movement” did what Jesus would have done.

In closing; Every generation has its challenges, but God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He changes not. My challenge to you reading this article and myself is to serve one another and be great in God’s eyes.

My mood is, ”Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ performed by McFadden and Whitehead.