The Dream Lives On - Sis. Lakeisha A. Singleton
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Platform of Hope submission by: Sis. Lakeisha A. Singleton
Dr. Martin Luther King is most famous for his “I Have A Dream” speech in which he eloquently spoke about a life he dreamed of but had not yet been fulfilled. Dr. King envisioned a life where we all would have equality, justice, and freedom regardless of our race. Most important, he desired that one day we would live in a nation where we would not be judged by the “color of our skin but by the content of our character.”
One would ask has Dr. King’s dream been lost. The answer to that question is no. The dream has not been lost but it has been delayed. The enemy’s goal is to delay our blessings such that we no longer have dreams and become hopeless. He wants our hearts to remain sick with worry, despair, and doubt. However, a dream delayed is not a dream denied! I’m reminded of Daniel (Daniel 10:12-14) when he prayed and fasted and waited on the Lord for an answer regarding freedom for Israel. Daniel’s heart’s desire was that that the Israelites were set free from captivity. The scriptural text reflects that the answer to Daniel’s prayers was delayed for twenty-one days until the Archangel Michael engaged in warfare and defeated the enemy. We learn from that passage of scripture that Daniel’s dream, which was his heart’s desire, was not denied, but it was delayed until warfare occurred.
Some dreams will only be fulfilled after spiritual warfare happens. In Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Although many in the world are battling racist people, we as children of God must understand that the battle is not against people, but it is against a spirit. We must always be prepared to battle the spirit of discord that came to separate us and destroy our dreams of equality, freedom, and justice.
The dream that Dr. King envisioned nearly sixty years ago has not been denied, but it has been delayed due to the hardening of man’s hearts by racism, fear, and hate, which has caused great division in this nation. However, I submit to you that The King of all Kings, who we serve, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, has the ability to soften hearts; give us supernatural power to defeat the enemy; and, transform our dreams into reality! Jesus said he would never leave us nor forsake us. The Lord would never leave us defenseless, hopeless, or helpless. He is the source, and not just a resource. Glory to God! He sees our struggles and knows our needs even before we say a mumbling word.
In conclusion, I can only imagine that during the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King grew weary and felt tired physically and spiritually, but he knew that he had an assignment from the Lord that he had to fulfill. People of God let’s not allow the current events to cause our hearts to become tired or cause us to lose our focus. Let us pray every day that we keep our faith; that our hearts remain full of God’s peace; and, that out spirits stay strengthened.