Shadow Land

Throughout the course of human history Wiseman, Scholars, Prophets and Ordinary people with a passion to understand and embrace the human condition, have attempted to explain these few, yet fundamental emotions. Why and how we love, what and why we fear. These seemingly simple, ubiquitous, and universal questions have mystified and perplexed the greatest minds in history from the very beginning of time.

Mine is not to explain these emotions, nor to give the impression that in some way, I have even the slightest understanding of their true depth. Yet I know of their existence, of their power, and the domination of unfathomable love and paralyzing fear such have in ones life.

In each of us there exists a place unseen and even unknown, to anyone except ourselves.

In this realm are the hidden, and unspoken, hopes dreams and fears that we guard with the very marrow of our being. Within this world of shadows we live our lives between who we are in the light, and what we hide from in the dark. In the light, all was well. We ask others to accept us, embrace us, and to love us as we are. In the light, all things can be beautiful. All things can be perfect. All things can be as others want them to be, as others expect them to be. If our desire were to please those around us, we would only show them that part of ourselves, which appears perfect within the glow of light.

The unspoken reality, the silent wall that continually separates person from person, brother from brother, friend from friend, is truth, honesty trust and the understanding that all people have and live with deep, unspoken fear, every moment they live. For each it is different. It comes in many forms. It bears many names. It wears many faces. Though fear may wear many disguises, when it comes we recognize it for what it is. For some of us It is the past. That ugly, hideous, unwelcome stranger of a beast. We no longer recognize, associate, participate or acknowledge.

Although this stranger from our past continues to visit, it is within our will and our responsibility to be sure, there is no home found for him. We have the power and the authority to close that door forever. The choices that we make every moment of every day, will determine whether we live in love, or despair.

For some the beast of fear continually circles us. As a raging beast, seeking to devour. Perhaps one is standing on the precipice, and far below is financial ruin, relationship turmoil,

Marriage expectations unmet. Loneliness. Isolation. Feelings of helplessness when someone to whom you are devoted, or are devoted to you, receives not the care they need or deserve, through no fault of yourself or those around you. It could be health rapidly declining, and at the height of ones splendid years, as ones very demise locks you within its gaze.

The reasons for fear endless. The reasons to love…. Boundless. To love and fear are human. To surrender to love, to conquer fear, is Devine. All that we are, all that we do, all whom we touch no matter how briefly, will leave our mark upon that person’s soul for the remainder of their life.

Even the slightest contact with the loneliest stranger is going to leave them with a part of who we are. We must therefore be greater than our fears, and bring forth the courage, strength integrity wisdom and faith to love, to love and spite of and in the face of overpowering fear

First John 4:18. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” it is the perfect love God has for us, that takes away my fear. For only God truly knows the wretched soul within this broken man. And his forgiveness and love is total and complete. I fear not my past, nor my present, nor what future events may come. If God can so freely forgive all that we were, all that we are, all that we ever may be or do, can you my beloved brother, or sister also forgive yourself, and those who may have hurt you ??

We are here, but a short while, as a mist upon an early-morning River. This river is ever flowing, never stopping to look back to see where it has been, to remember around which bend it last came. While we are here let us do what is right, what is noble what is true, what is honorable. Let us be the first to extend our hand, to offer peace, to end strife between friend and brother. Let us be the first to say “Forgive me” if we have offended another. Let us be the first to say “Thank you” if someone has picked us up, and dusted us off.

And one more thing I seek from one friend to another,
Let us be the first to take the hand of the hurting, those still trapped in the dark by the fear.
And stroll quietly toward the light.

First John 4:21. “And he has given us this command, whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

JD. 4-14-2010-1600 hrs.