Light Where There Is Darkness

We have the ability to choose our attitude even in the worst moments of life. This truth was affirmed by Viktor Frankl who suffered interment at Auschwitz and other concentration camps. He lost his wife and parents while a prisoner in these places yet he found that the ‘salvation of man is through love and in love’. Viktor reached this conclusion, in part, by experiencing other prisoners who would walk through the barracks giving up their last piece of bread and offering kind words and hope. This powerful testimony to love helped him survive that which was practically unsurvivable.  Dr. Frankl became a renowned psychiatrist and author of at least 32 books (among them "Man's Search For Meaning").

We are given sparkling little glimmers of unselfish love and grace in everyday life as well. My dear life-long friend lost his father this week. Harry Cox was a great guy.  He was a high school and college track star whose records still stand.  More importantly, he was delightful company with a ready laugh, humble heart and gracious spirit.  There was no long suffering illness that had preceded his death and it was certainly unexpected. I called his son, my friend Gary, to offer the comfort of our friendship and to connect with him in his time of need. It was not long into our conversation that Gary began to tell me stories about my own father and mother and how grateful he was for their love and kindness. He talked about how welcomed he felt in our home and how much this meant to him.  He recounted the powerful impact of their generosity.  I suddenly realized that this wonderful friend was actually consoling me. He was sharing the joys of our childhood and ministering with compassion even at his own hour of deep personal grief.

This choice of attitude is not an acquired behavior or ‘second nature’ but rather comes from a broken heart that remains unselfish and called to love. It demonstrates that brokenness is the common bond. It is from our brokenness that we can offer hope. Gary’s closing words on the phone to me were “You are a blessing.” May we all find ways to share such light in the darkness.

An Epiphany

Christmas ends with Epiphany. There is a mystical “Ah Ha” moment associated with Epiphany and it tends to come from the darkness. Many (if not most) of us have reached some point in life where hope seemed to be lost. The experience is sometimes described as a kind of bottomless black hole. I’ve been there and myself and can testify that there is never enough uplifting news or celebration to lift you from that dark place. What it does take is a total shift in consciousness. When this happens, God and nature actually create order out of what appeared to be chaos. The struggle that I was engaged in was pointless. I awakened one night to the realization that the only thing that really mattered was love. This generated a phone call to my wife, Bonita, who had been waiting for my return to the living. We were reunited. My consciousness radically shifted and my life changed forever. It was the perception change I needed to have the courage to face my inner dragons.

It is love that provides light and overcomes the impossible. Only love will do. Riches, power and fame are transient and turn to dust. The comfort and security we seek cannot be found in any of these. It can only be found in love. Love endures even beyond our lifetime. Everything else is a footnote.

It seems that we are in some kind of wrestling match with life. There is this tremendous struggle to conquer and win. If we could begin to devote only a fraction of that effort and energy to loving God, our neighbor and ourselves it would change the world. Imagine instead of criticizing, picking out the negative and trying to control everything and everybody that we exercised the power of love by listening, empathizing and offering support. What a difference it would make! Outcomes and bottom lines would become irrelevant.

Today is the feast day of Epiphany. Let go of the worry, hurry and hate. Reflect the love that shines inside of you and be an instrument of that love regardless of your circumstances. This is the true awakening for which you have been waiting. Nothing else matters. So let go of control and let your love light shine. If you persist in it nothing will ever be the same.

Our Best Resolution

A brand new year is coming! Many of us will celebrate with old traditions, friends and loved ones. Some of us will spend a quiet evening at home. Some of us will be alone. No matter how we mark the end of one year and greet the new one, it is customary to list the changes that we hope to make in the coming year. A New Year blessing that I heard once goes like this, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.”

It is true that we usually fall back into the same old habits not long after January 1st but our intentions are good. I think that some of the desire to do better and to be better comes from the selfless behavior that is generated during Christmas. We wish that we could continue to appreciate each other and extend ourselves as we have done for the weeks prior to the end of the year. There is a beautiful work of art shown above by the French baroque artist, Simon Vouet created in the seventeenth century. It depicts Love, Hope and Beauty overcoming Father Time. This is the victory that we long for as we make our resolutions. However, the seemingly relentless march of time catches us up with all of the duties and doings that occupy our every waking moment. Promises to change give way to busy schedules.

There is a story that I often tell which relates to this subject.  It goes like this:

The Devil has become concerned that there are not enough souls entering into his domain based upon calculations of population increase on Earth. He calls his three minions together and casts blame upon them for declining intake census. They are directed, one at a time, to go up to the land of the living and conduct some research that will turn the tide of souls in Hells favor. There is also a warning that accompanies The Devil’s command, “If your idea does not please me,” says Satan, “You will be reduced into eternal cinders by the power of my rod!” The first minion departs and returns shortly. He is asked for his findings and reports that “All we must do is spread the word that there is no God.” Lucifer becomes enraged. “No God! You fool! If there is no God there is no Me!” He points his dreaded staff at the minion and reduces him to ash. The second minion departs and spends quite a bit more time on Earth wandering about in fear of the consequences. He finally returns and has a slight air of confidence. He tells Satan, “All we must do is tell the people that the holy scriptures of all religions are lies and must be destroyed!” The Devil becomes even more infuriated. He screams, “You idiot! Destroy the scriptures? Have you not heard that the rocks and stones themselves will testify in the absence of The Word?” The quaking minion meets the same fate as his fellow. Satan turns to the third of his subordinates. He said “You better make this good!” The third minion spent a long time in his research on Earth. When he finally returned The Devil was waiting with his staff already prepared for destruction. The little minion raised his hand and, with a slight smile, told Satan this, “I have the answer my Lord. All we have to do is tell the people that they have PLENTY OF TIME.” Satin smiled, knowing that the problem had been solved.

We have this moment, here and now. It is our opportunity to not only make a resolution that will be meaningful, but one that will truly overcome Father Time. It is summed up in the wisdom and teachings of the ages. We should not discount it for what seems to be simplicity. For it is far from simple. The ultimate resolution is this. Love one another. After all is said and done; only love endures.