On the day that commemorates the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I find myself contemplating the meaning of “influence.” When we think about influence, we often picture a mentor, parent, or the tenets of our faith. These things shape us, inspire us, and guide our behavior. Real influence, the kind that leaves a mark on our lives, is transformative. It’s a force that causes us to adjust our belief system, change our behavior, or even take an entirely new path.
I believe the Greek word metanoia captures the idea of influence perfectly. It means “to change one’s mind” and go in a different direction. Lasting, impactful influence starts in the heart, where we hold our deepest convictions about what is true or false.
A Man of Influence
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of profound influence. His impact on the world has arguably grown even stronger since his passing. He wasn’t perfect—he was a flawed human being like all of us. But his flaws didn’t diminish his beliefs or his mission. What made Dr. King so influential was his unwavering commitment to justice and equality, convictions that lived deep in his heart. We see the evidence of this influence not in his words alone, but in his actions. Despite the challenges, despite his humanity, Dr. King remained consistent in his beliefs and willing to sacrifice everything—even his life—for what he knew to be right.
Influence That Inspires Transformation
Dr. King’s example makes me pause and reflect on the things we look to for change in our own lives. The truth is, influence without a deep inner belief creates little more than a temporary shift in behavior. Real influence, however, causes an actionable, noticeable reaction—a transformation. It challenges us to examine what we truly believe, not just what we say we believe.
Beyond Admiration: A Call to Action
As a society, we admire Dr. King’s courage and sacrifice. We celebrate his life and honor his legacy, marveling at his willingness to pay the ultimate price for the principles he held dear. We repeat his words: that we should judge each other by the “content of our character, not the color of our skin.” But I challenge us to ask: do we believe this deeply enough to change our behavior? Do we believe it enough to truly imagine what it feels like to walk in someone else’s shoes, especially someone who looks nothing like us? Are we so convinced of the rightness of equality that we adjust how we treat, respect, and honor the experiences of others? Or do we settle for a surface-level acknowledgment—a sentiment that inspires temporary change but fades with time?
True influence is not about perfection, but it does provoke transformation. When I look at the principles Dr. King stood for, I see a man influenced to action by his heart’s deepest convictions. That is the lesson I hope to carry forward as we honor him. Not to simply reflect or be inspired for a moment, but to allow myself to be so deeply influenced that it provokes lasting change.
A Challenge for Self-Reflection
I encourage each of us to reflect on this: Are we truly influenced by the principles of equality and justice, or are we merely impacted for a moment? Are we willing to do the soul-searching work of examining our hearts, comparing our actions to our beliefs, and asking the hard questions? Am I making a temporary shift, or am I persuaded to walk differently every single day?
Embodying the Principles of Justice and Equality
I believe Dr. King’s desire for us would be to not just to quote his words or post memorable lines from his speeches, but to embody the principles he fought for. To be so deeply influenced by the truth of equality and justice that our lives are changed, our actions transformed, and our world made better.
Let our takeaway on this day of remembrance be not just admiration, but true influence that compels us to live and love differently.