The Hope in Me

How many times have I just sat back and watched the world go by, wondering how I fit into it all? Feeling that I had some part to play in it, but having no idea what that part may be? No more will I willingly sit in that place feeling like I have nothing of worth to contribute.

I have been called to write, so here I sit writing. I was never called to be read, yet I write. I wasn't told I would be heard, maybe because I'm supposed to listen and follow, instead. And, of course, write what I've heard and learned, as much for myself as for anyone else.

For too long, I've placed the emphasis of my life on what I have or on what I thought others thought of me. Which is weird, because if people don't really notice me or agree with what I have to say, I'm okay with that. Then, when I have something to say, I'll go ahead and say it. Most times it doesn't agree with what a lot of others are saying, many times because what they're saying makes zero sense to me.

So, I've been told to write, not like I'm a voice calling out in the wilderness, or anything like that. I'm definitely not THAT guy. He was closely related to Jesus. I am, too, of course, but in a totally different way. Yes, I do see the world as a whole as a gaping wilderness where a LOT of people have no idea why they are here. And as every believer, I know it's my duty to help them find the path. The better path. The only path that leads to life.

So, here I sit. My butt in a lawn chair right outside the door of my RV, listening to city traffic seventy feet away, and the piercing whistle of the trains rumbling by every twenty or thirty minutes, pounding out these words that I hope make sense. Words that I pray will convey what they're supposed to convey. I'm just a guy with a keyboard who has lots of words. Hopefully, some of those words are the ones someone needs to hear today. I know things look bad, and that some of them look downright scary, dark, hopeless, and yes, even evil. Trust me, I'm on Facebook, too. WAY more than I should be, I'll admit, because I've been feeling that, too. Like everything is going to hell in a handbasket, and I may just be along for the ride. But I'm not just along for the ride.

I have the conquerer of death itself living inside of me. He wasn't just a challenger who thought He MIGHT be able to conquer death, maybe, someday. He looked death in the face, actually let death take Him, and then kicked the ever living crap out of it. When He came back, He was stronger than ever before because He was no longer bound by an earthly, weak body of mud that was confined by the rules of this fallen world. Instead, He had restored what we were all originally meant to be, fully walking in the blessing, power, protection, love, hope, mercy, grace, and perfection of God's plan for who He wanted us all to be. In fact, He had never been bound by that earthly body of mud, because He had always had perfect relationship with the Father. Remember that time He walked on water. Pretty sure that was completely out of bounds for mere human existence.

So, today, instead of wondering how this thing, or that person's bad decision, or this evil, or that lack, or hunger, or fear, or anger, or hate might affect my day, I'm just going to focus on the Greater One living inside of me. Instead of fearing, I'm going to listen to what He says to that fear, and simply repeat it. Instead of wondering if I'm walking down the path He laid out for my life before He spoke light into existence, I'm going to listen to what He says about me and who I am, and I'm going to tell myself that. Instead of worrying about the world around me crumbling to the ground, which is exactly what it's inevitably going to do at some point in the future, I'm going to listen to what He says about MY day today in THIS place, and believe that.

So, here I sit, writing words that have helped me face my day. I hope they give some measure of hope to you during yours, as well.

Until next time, stay safe, and above all, be true to yourself.

That Aaron Guy