Like million of Americans I went out today to remind ourselves and our world that in America we don’t have a king! I attended one in Greensboro, NC last year, but this was my first in Memphis. It was different. First of all, so much has happened since the last one. We never thought it would come to this did we? Really”?
But here we are!
The government is shut down, but then they weren’t doing much to curb the wanna-be-dictators urges
He decides what appropriated funds will be spent or not
Who will have a job or not
What legal decisions to follow or not!
Which one of his political opponents he will unleash the Department of Justice on?
Have you ever really read the Declaration of Independence? These things sound very familiar!
Oh, and did I mention that he is sending troops INTO AMERICAN CITIES!
That is a major difference for me in this rally. I gathered with thousands in Memphis—where National Guard troops patrol our streets! They weren’t seen at the rally (which was held just outside downtown.). But one speaker canceled because of a threat, and several others mentioned the fear that permeates many in our city.
And yet THOUSANDS showed up. About 5,000 in our city. This doesn’t take into count the 1,500 that showed up in Oak Ridge, TN (where my youngest daughter and grandson rallied;) or the millions in Chicago, Boston, New York and in every state of our country! It doesn’t count the US citizens who marched overseas.
Why?
Someone commented on my Facebook page that it didn’t make any difference. He got me to thinking! I remembered that for nearly 25 years every Sunday I walked into a pulpit to deliver a sermon. On the vast majority of those Sundays no one rushed to “join the church, give their hear to Jesus, commit themselves to mission work overseas.” So maybe all those Sundays were worthless too!
But I remember that God has never called to to success, just faithfulness! Today, I was faithful to the witness and calling of our forefathers and mothers who dreamed of a land that would be different, not ruled by a monarch or dictator. Today I marched to be faithful, to remind myself of those self evident truths.
Did it make a difference? It did in me! It reminded me of the country I hope we might be. It reminded me I am not alone.
And it was fun!
Enjoy some images from #NoKingsMemphis
See you next time!