David Brooks draws from Howard Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited to discuss how to create deep change in our communities. (HERE)

Basically, it is hard work. It is worthy work.

From Brooks:

To be a good citizen, it is necessary to be warmhearted, but it is also necessary to master the disciplines, methods and techniques required to live well together: how to listen well, how to ask for and offer forgiveness, how not to misunderstand one another, how to converse in a way that reduces inequalities of respect. In a society with so much loneliness and distrust, we are failing at these social and moral disciplines.

MLK drew from Thurman’s leadership and work in forging out his non-violent resistance movement in the Civil Rights Era. It is the work of a disciplined mind and spirit.

Examples:

One must have a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from an opponent without striking back. Unearned suffering is redemptive.

It avoids not only external physical violence but also internal violence of the spirit. It is a refusal to hate.

Nonviolent resistance is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice. It has a deep faith in the future.

Two things stand out to me: 1. A refusal to hate, and, 2. there is a deep faith in the future.

This is a deep work Howard Thurman was able to cultivate at an earlier age and then teach it throughout his career and then MLK was able to incorporate it into the Civil Rights Movement when Dr. King was only in his 20s. I am in my (late) 50s and it is hard work in my own heart.

This is the work of the Kingdom of God. It is deep work in each of us and I truly believe that from it will flow the good of the Kingdom of God and create spaces for human flourishing.