As he reflected within his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, the fate of grace that led Dr. King to the mountaintop brought him the solace of peace as he drew closer to the appointed time that would come. As we stand on the eve of tomorrow, contemplating what lies ahead, we should embrace the profound purpose of our lives.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his final speech to a crowd in Memphis. With profound words, his voice crescendoed as he spoke and reflected on the fragile nature of life and the significance of every moment. He recalled a heartfelt letter from a ninth-grade student at White Plains High School, who expressed her happiness that he hadn’t succumbed to an assassination attempt that left him only a breath away from death.

She wrote, “While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I’m a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I’m simply writing you to say that I’m so happy that you didn’t sneeze.” These words resonate deeply, reminding us of the delicate balance between life, death, and the unknown.

In his speech that night, Dr. King emphasized the places he had traveled and the lives he had touched, sharing in the young girl’s sentiment. This reflection invites us to also consider the moments that define our own existence. Just as Dr. King did, we can look back at our lives and find reasons to be grateful for every breath we take.

WATCH EXCERPT: “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We stand on the precipice of tomorrow, unaware of the paths that await us. Yet, in this moment, we should live with intentional purpose. Dr. King expressed, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will.” This declaration reveals the importance of seeking a higher purpose.

By embracing this truth, we can discover the divine purpose set before us. It is God who grants us the gift of time and assigns us our unique roles in His grand design. He alone knows the reason for our existence.

Let us look upon our lives through the lens of faith, seeking to understand God’s reason for our being. As we walk alongside Him, let us earnestly strive to do God’s Will, as Dr. King did; for within that quest lies everything we truly need. Even if we may not reach our ultimate desired destination, maintaining a viewpoint of faith allows us to understand that our labor is not in vain. Ultimately, it is in this journey that we can find peace, embracing the mountaintop moments as we sincerely seek to please God and align our lives with His purpose.