Martin Luther King Jr. has gone down in history as a transformational figure who paved a better path for not only African-Americans, but for all marginalized people in this country. One of his greatest strengths to achieve this was through his rhetoric. In fact, he was sort of like a living, breathing factory of iconic statements.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

The list could truly go on and on, but the main themes revolve around love, freedom and a brighter future. For this reason, it seems especially fitting that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also the same day of President Barack Obama’s inaugural address.

It could be argued that Obama would not be serving a second term as president or have been able to enjoy so many other opportunities had Dr. King not fought tirelessly for the brighter future that we all enjoy and that many of us continue to fight for. President Obama is fully aware of Dr. King’s impact on his life and the path of this country. In many ways, he has tried to emulate his fight for the greater good during his first term.

While reading up on some of Dr. King’s most memorable statements, I found one he wrote in a letter from a Birmingham jail that is not nearly as famous as many others, but that should be the most important in guiding Obama’s second term.

“We must use time creatively.”

Although it is short, sweet and doesn’t have the same grandiose nature that both Dr. King and President Obama are known for using in speeches, it conveys the ideal marching orders for the president as he begins his final term in elected office.

For many of us, four years can mean a college degree, medical school, a new job followed by promotions, all while meeting new friends or love interests. These achievements are pretty basic aspects of life, but are essential for making the most of the time given.

For President Obama, the next four years could mean several challenges from a do-nothing, gridlocked term to a transformational era that sees major changes both in and out of Washington. Unfortunately, the former is more likely to occur as Congress remains sharply divided and almost unable to pass legislation on any hot-button issue (which now constitutes just about every issue),

This is why the president must get creative.

The first two years of his first term did not require much creativity in terms of how he could pass major legislation such as the Affordable Care Act or place two favorable judges into the Supreme Court. The last two years were more notable for being some of the least productive in congressional history, and the public battles between the president and Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill. During that time, President Obama had to tread softly to face any chance at re-election and to have a shot at getting anything done.

Now, though, the president is fueled by an electoral mandate to, at the very least, push this country forward on the principles he campaigned on. Whether his congressional colleagues choose to join him in doing so is another story. 

Either way, the president must get creative.

This might mean selecting a few key issues to fight to victory on while allowing for compromise on others.

This might mean continuing to pass executive orders within the boundaries of the Constitution while establishing himself as a fearless commander-in-chief willing to do what is necessary to make life better for Americans.

What this cannot mean, though, is a continuation of drawn-out battles and dramatic headlines splashed across every news site that only result in short-term “solutions” to our many issues. Obama must lead the rest of our government from acting as handymen, who fix little things here and there, to home builders, who build a stronger foundation for us to stand on.

Dr. King creatively used his time on Earth to turn wrongs into rights and build a foundation for a better America that we still stand on today.

President Obama has four more years to do the same.

John is a junior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected] and   @johnbuysse.