I had the privilege of knowing Congressman John Lewis, though our interactions were initially quite unassuming. My first encounter with him was in the congressional cafeteria many years ago. He was a figure of quiet routine, always arriving alone, ordering his meal, and finding a solitary corner to eat. At the time, I was unaware of his monumental stature in American history. He simply struck me as a man who carried himself with a certain gravitas, perhaps even a sense of stern determination.
It was through casual inquiries with the cafeteria staff that I came to understand who this seemingly serious man truly was. Learning about his background was astonishing. Here was John Lewis, a living icon of the Civil Rights Movement, yet he conducted himself with remarkable humility, waiting in line like everyone else for a simple lunch.
Eventually, I felt compelled to approach him. Mustering my courage, I asked if I could pray with him. His response, delivered in that characteristic gruff voice, was a reluctant but accepting, “Oh, all right.” He embodied the spirit of the “angry young man,” a driving force behind his relentless advocacy for justice and equality.
However, beyond his public persona as a civil rights champion, John Lewis was deeply rooted in faith. A lesser-known aspect of his life is that he was a seminary student when he embarked on his transformative journey alongside Martin Luther King Jr. In a reflective interview some years ago, he expressed concern that many in contemporary times fail to grasp the profound religious foundations of the Civil Rights Movement. He emphasized, “And the movement grew out of a sense of faith—faith in God and faith in one’s fellow human beings.”
Expanding on this, Lewis eloquently articulated the sense of divine presence that accompanied their struggle:
“Sometimes when I look back and think about it, how did we do what we did? How did we succeed? We didn’t have a website. We didn’t have a cellular telephone. But I felt when we were sitting in at those lunch counter stools, or going on the Freedom Ride or marching from Selma to Montgomery, there was a power and a force. God Almighty was there with us.”
This powerful sentiment echoes the enduring words of Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” The passing of Representative John Lewis serves as a potent reminder that the original Civil Rights Movement was spearheaded by devoted men and women of faith, acting in the name of their Christian beliefs, to guide America closer to its founding ideals.
In stark contrast, contemporary movements often stand in opposition to these principles, sometimes led by ideologies that seek to dismantle the very foundations of the nation that figures like John Lewis strived to perfect. His life and legacy call us to remember the values that underpinned the quest for civil rights and to reflect on the path forward.
