“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but greatness because greatness is determined by service.”

There’s a hymn my family sings in devotion every once in a while. It’s called “”May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me,”” and today, our country celebrates the life and legacy of a man who was the epitome of this hymn title. Rev. King is a man whose life was dedicated to Christ and through Christ, a more just world equitable world for all. I think we take this day for granted. I think we take his life for granted. Yes, there are so many contributors to Black history, especially in this country, but it does not nullify the importance of his legacy, which lives on today. 

Even in death, we are empowered and encouraged by the legacy of a man who in the face of opposition, ostracism, death threats, persisted and fought the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7-8). He exemplified what it meant to stand and held tightly to the courage of his convictions at a time where the country was not ready or interested in a change. He had many quotes that I love, but I chose the one pictured above because it is so relevant to our life and walk as believers. 

Two weeks ago, in an effort to get my students to see the bigger picture, I asked them who they aspired to be. Essentially, they all wanted to be famous, to be known globally. They weren’t necessarily interested in being impactful, just being recognized by the world. In response, I told them they didn’t need to be household names and widely recognized in order to make a difference. I told them there’s a difference between being known and being impactful. We all know plenty of people whose names we know and with platforms who are not impactful people. In a similar vein, I think sometimes we as believers are so focused on being known, recognized or seen by others, that that becomes our priority as opposed to the work itself, as opposed to the opportunity to be of service. Dr. King’s cause was Christ, not adulation or fame. Ours should be the same and each of our lives and paths are different, though we are all serving the Lord. 

We do not all have the calling Dr. King had on his life, but we have callings nonetheless. My father, regardless of what the task is, does everything with excellence. He teaches God’s Word with excellence, he cooks with precision, he dresses immaculately, he leads the Men’s Ministry at our church with distinction in order, he loves my mother unlike anyone I have ever seen someone love another person and he has a heart for children. I went to his job for Career Day and watched as he passed through the cafeteria and hallways. Every child wanted a high five or a hug and smiled as they say him coming. As I went from room to room, I started every conversation the same. “Do you know who Mr. Clayton is?” Each time, the children exclaimed, “Yes!” Then, I told them I was his daughter and they were amazed and excited. When I was leaving, as my father took me to the exit, I thought the children were waving at him, which I’m sure some of them were. But as I left, they shouted, “Bye Mr. Clayton’s daughter!”

I say all this to say that my father, for as long as I’ve been alive, has lived a life in service to anyone in need and for the past 20 years, he has served children with joy and anchored in faith and for those children and everyone in the building, he has made a difference, not because he sought praise or to be seen, but simply because he cared. The impetus he has to serve and to do so with excellence is because of Christ. Because He does all things as unto God Himself, (Colossians 3:23-24) as we all should. As Dr. King did. My students long to be household names, but it is the people we interact with every day, in our communities, and in our schools that impact us and the people we are and aspire to be. The world may never know their names, but we do. We should never scoff at the work of service – in our local churches, schools and communities. Oftentimes, the work we do others may never see us do or know we did. Nevertheless, we ought rejoice for the privilege and a joy it is to be commissioned by God to do anything. We ought to be faithful in all we do, big or small (Luke 6:10).

I can say with confidence that Dr. King did all that was asked of him and served the Lord well. For that, he received his wings. I leave you with another of my favorite quotes: “Life’s most urgent question is what are you doing for others?” I pray as we traverse this year, our cause is Christ and our aim is not to be known or seen, but obedient to the work God has called us to do and to serve – wherever it is and whatever it is. 

With Love,

Danielle