We are approaching the date set aside to honor the memory, accomplishments, and contributions of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. As with many other days celebrating great individuals, Martin Luther King Day is becoming a day of civic action, to honor the spirit of his message and goals. Churches, organizations, and individuals spend the day (2nd Monday in January) doing activities of remembrance and acknowledging the advancements made in the spirit of King’s primary message of racial equality. People also tend to do volunteer activities in and around their communities.
Strangely enough, the speech most commonly associated with Dr. King, is the I Have A Dream Speech. However, if you want to get inspiration from King on how important he thought it was to participate in service to your community, you try listening to his speech (sermon), The Drum Major Instinct.
King's Drum Major Instinct sermon, given on February 4th of 1968, was an adaptation the discourse ‘‘Drum-Major Instincts’’ by J. Wallace Hamilton, a white, Methodist preacher. King encouraged his listeners to seek greatness, but to do so through service and love.
Early in the speech, he advises, “…we all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. Alfred Adler, the great psychoanalyst, contends that this is the dominant impulse. Sigmund Freud used to contend that sex was the dominant impulse, and Adler came with a new argument saying that this quest for recognition, this desire for attention, this desire for distinction is the basic impulse, the basic drive of human life, this drum major instinct.”
He contends that there is nothing wrong with striving for success, leadership, or greatness. However, later in the speech/sermon he goes on to say, “If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That's a new definition of greatness.”
There is still a great debate over whether or not we’ve “overcome”. That argument is largely one of perspective and perhaps shall never be decided. What is definitive is the impact of how the smallest of selfless, altruistic gestures can impact the community and the world around us. By all means enjoy your day off in celebration of this great American. After the parades, and documentaries truly celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and his message of personal sacrifice and service by giving time to your community!
“You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” ~MLK, Jr.
Listen to complete sermon here: https://youtu.be/tBiFnDuCJIU
