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This morning I had the privilege of sitting with a group of students discussing what it means to be a Christian at a basic foundational level. After talking through several things one girl finally looked up and said, "So being a Christian isn't just about what you believe. You have to live it, too!"

It was wonderful to see this point of realization! Which then launched us into a conversation in which they started to reflect on how hard it can be to live out some of what Jesus teaches us to do. Especially how hard it can be to love the way Jesus models and calls us to.

I'm writing the Covenant Weekly today because it is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. As a follower of Jesus, Dr. King sought to guide people in not only believing right things about Jesus, but embodying the love of Jesus even in the face of hate, bias, and physical harm. Examples of this about, but one such example is in how he called people to respond to the perceived victory of buses becoming desegregated. The primary goal for Dr. King wasn't just desegregation of buses - or schools or a nation for that matter. His desire was reconciliation. For that which was broken by humanity's sin and arrogance and pride to be brought back together. This is evident in both of points #8 in the suggestions he gave to African American's boarding newly integrated buses.

As an aside, I know some people don't believe that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should really be much concern to Canadians. Let me remind you that division, hatred and poor treatment of people because of something beyond their control, is something that is deep in our nation's history, too. Chinese immigrants were abused during the building of our national railway and mistreated in many other ways, including being barred from coming to Canada between 1923 and 1947. Japanese Canadians were forcibly removed from their homes and put into internment camps during WW2. Part of Canada did face segregation based on ethnicity with the last segregated school in Canada existing in Nova Scotia until 1983. Our own area is deeply familiar with religious hatred that has existed within our country. In Protestant dominated Toronto (and much of the rest of Ontario) the Irish were discriminated against because they were Catholic and anti-semitism has had deep roots.

There is no room to simply "believe" in the way of Jesus when I consider the commands to love my neighbour as myself, and to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. I . . . we, must learn to put this into practice. Prayerfully consider Dr. King's words from 1956 and be encouraged and inspired as you seek to, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

Integrated Bus Suggestions