Favorite Quote #1 - Mary McLeod Bethune

An African American woman of unshakable faith, Mary McLeod Bethune was a former slave, the founder of Bethune-Cookman University, and an advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt. One of my favorite quotes comes from a commencement speech given by Dr. Bethune. In her speech, she inspired her students by saying: "Walk bravely in the light. Faith ought not to be a puny thing. If you believe, have faith like a giant, and may God grant you not peace but glory."

In this marvelous quote, Dr. Bethune makes three key points about our spirituality. First, she urges us to be courageous by allowing God's light to illuminate all the dark crevices of our lives. Next, she admonishes us that a "puny faith" is not faith at all. To walk bravely, we need a giant-sized faith. Finally, Dr. Bethune challenges us to consider that God's greatest blessing may be "not peace but glory."

I first heard this quote read at a funeral service for a person who was eulogized as one who had lived her life seeking to glorify God. The quote had a lasting impact on my faith perspective. Many times, I have blocked God's light from shining where I most needed it to brighten my life. Despite all my efforts, my faith has sometimes shrunk to puny dimensions; and, I often long for peace instead of taking the risks I know will glorify God.

We all need to heed Mary McLeod Bethune's call to a courageous faith. Allow God to nudge you out of whatever cozy corner of complacency you've established, and "walk bravely in the light."


Copyright 2010 Sharon King