MLK's dream didn't fade, pastor says
Organizers of the DuPage County celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. promised rejuvenated spirits to all those who would attend the gathering. They delivered a rejuvenated dream, in Technicolor.
The Rev. Marvin Wiley used the story of Joseph and his multicolored coat from the Book of Genesis to illustrate King's dream of equality. The story is perhaps better known now through the stage adaptation, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Wiley is the pastor of Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood. He first delivered a message of hope, no matter what adversity you face.
"The good news tonight is, no matter what you're going through, God is going to get the last word," Wiley said. "Good plus bad plus God is going to come out good every time. The only thing that you're required to do is to keep your faith."
Faith is the only act that catches God's eye, Wiley said.
"What made Martin Luther King so significant was that he was not operating with fame; he was operating with favor," Wiley said.
It was that favor and God's overseeing hand that pushed King to a life of action, Wiley said.
"Too many people just dream," Wiley said. "They don't do anything about those dreams."
God's favor also helped King steer fellow people of color away from other voices who did not preach a non-violent civil rights movement as he did, Wiley said.
"At the time, there were two choices on the table," Wiley said. "It was Martin (Luther King) and Malcolm (X). Thank God tonight, Martin won out."
Hate only denigrates the person bearing that emotion, Wiley said.
"Hate is like drinking poison, hoping the other person will die," Wiley said.
Wiley posed a theoretical question to weigh the value of skin color in importance of life.
"If you were drowning, would you honestly care about what color the person throwing the rope was who saved you?" Wiley asked.
Wiley encouraged the audience to live King's dream not just for one night, but for all 12 months of the year.
The celebration will help achieve that for several high school seniors. All proceeds from the offering collected will help create Martin Luther King, Jr. college scholarships of $500 in DuPage County high schools. Those who missed the celebration can contribute to the scholarships by sending donations to Second Baptist Church, 1520 Avery St., Wheaton, IL. 60187.