More than remembering his name or his birthdate, each year I am challenged to remember the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  To be sure, it is God’s dream for humanity (Second Corinthians 5.11-21). Prophet and pastor, Dr. King is unmatched in his challenge to America’s citizens to be reconciled to one another.  Echoing God, it is a call to sit down at a table, to look into each other’s eyes, to share in what sustains us.  A minister of reconciliation, it is a dream that must come to fruition or our daily living will remain a nightmare.

There is no end to the number of wounds that we inflict upon each other.  The nightly news is to be avoided if you want to have a good night’s rest as we would certainly toss and turn after reports of police brutality, community unrest, political bickering, acts of terrorism and hate speech after hate speech.

We need to dream for the days are dark and life has become antagonistic.  It is indeed a fight to believe in all that is good and pure and true.  It can prove difficult to think on things that are praiseworthy (Philippians 4.8).  But, remember to dream.

This is a call for eyes open, out of bed, no pajamas or pillow dreaming.  This is not to be confused with the recitation of King’s dream but it should come from our minds and our mouths. While we are watching and praying, we must remember to dream for to dream is to hope and to believe.