Last week, I was reminded of the far-reaching effect our lives can have. As we listened to Martin Luther King III share about his father’s legacy, I couldn’t help but think about what happens when we simply do, with our whole heart, what God shows us to do. No matter the task asked of us, if done with the highest motive, its effect can lift the hearts of others. As reflections of the brilliance of God’s love, our lives–our work and our words–should radiate Life. We are instructed: “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17, NLT). As you continue with your studies, do them for the Lord. No matter the assignment, humble yourself before God, and in time He will lift you up.
“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
–Martin Luther King, Jr.