Reflecting on Courage on MLK Day

I can recall first learning about Martin Luther King Jr. in grade school. Everything written about him and how my teachers spoke about his accomplishments made him seem larger than life. Believed to be a modern-day prophet, King led the Civil Rights Movement in America with courage and tenacity, preaching non-violence and civil disobedience. 

The history books recall the young minister as a captivating orator whose words could lift spirits, galvanize support, and spur audiences into action. These are the moments we often think about when recalling the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. 

However, these are only the highlights. When we look back on the lives of significant historical figures, we tend to marvel at their accomplishments and recast an individual’s character in light of only their most noteworthy moments. We often forget that leaders live a life of tremendous difficulty, pain, and danger. Martin Luther King Jr. was no exception. 

A few years ago, I visited Montgomery, Alabama, on an educational trip with a delegation of Reform Rabbis from across the country. One of our final stops was visiting the parsonage house for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. This was the house where MLK lived with his wife and kids for most of the Civil Rights Movement. 

It’s an ordinary single-family home several blocks from the church, which would otherwise go unnoticed if not for its famous occupants. While on the tour, the docent shared a glimpse into what life was like for King during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Before entering the home, she showed us a plaque indicating where a bomb had landed on the porch. Inside the living room, she pointed out a remnant of where a brick was thrown through the window. In the hallway was the King’s rotary phone. She explained how often it was purposefully left off the hook because of the forty or so threatening phone calls the family received daily. In these difficult moments, we uncover the humanity of those held in such high esteem, like King. 

In his book Stride Toward Freedom, Martin Luther King Jr. describes his experience on the night of January 27th, 1956, at the apex of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. After another long planning meeting, King slumps home to find Corretta asleep. He writes, “I paced and knocked about, my nerves still on edge. The telephone rang, and a sneering voice on the other end said:

 “Leave Montgomery immediately if you have no wish to die.” 

King’s fear surged. “I hung up the phone, walked into the kitchen, and, with trembling hands, put on a pot of coffee and sank into the chair at the kitchen table.” What happened next is described as King’s most profound spiritual experience. He writes: 

“I was ready to give up. With my cup of coffee sitting untouched, I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing cowardly. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage had all but gone, I decided to take my problem to God. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud.

 The words I spoke to God at midnight are still vivid in my memory; King later recalled that evening. 

“I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength or courage, they, too, will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone. 

MLK’s prayer in that moment reveals to us what is so often left out of our collective retelling of his life. This story shines a light on King’s humanity. It provides a window into the life of a young man who was asked to carry the burden of an entire movement on his shoulders. His words reflect a deep desire to make positive changes in this world and to continue to fight, while at the same time, his prayer illustrates the physical and emotional toll that his life’s work had on him. I find comfort in knowing that even the most outstanding leaders in history were, at times, fearful and uncertain about themselves or the mission they pursued. No matter who you are, it is expected to feel at times that we cannot go on any longer. 

King’s prayer didn’t end there, in a moment of despair and uncertainty. Instead, as retold in his book, King wrote: 

“In that moment, I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced God before. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice telling me: Stand up for justice and truth, and God will be at your side forever.” 

Each year, on the third Monday in January, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work and all he achieved in his thirty-nine years. This year, MLK Day coincides with the inauguration of Trump’s second term. Many of us may be anxious about what might unfold in the next four years. 

Even in moments of despair, when it seems impossible to continue, and the task is too daunting, it is crucial never to lose hope. For in these difficult moments, as MLK exemplified, it becomes possible to receive quiet reassurance from a divine voice to help you carry on. 

 

Rabbi Simon Stratford was ordained from HUC-JIR, Cincinnati, in 2017. After serving as a pulpit rabbi for seven years, he is now the Director of Spiritual Care at Majestic Care Cedar Village as part of the Jewish Family Service K’vod Connect Team.