I come across this picture from time to time, and in each time that I see it after a while, it sparks new thought. Today, "Bondage" comes to mind. I think back to times in my life when my esteem of self was extremely low. To this day, I still struggle with it. Yet today, the Lion in my chest has a much louder roar. The bondage of which I speak today, is
that of the mental. Many, if not most, of us suffer from it. We hold our own minds captive to limited knowledge, incomplete lessons, half truths, and often flat out lies.
Back to me. When I was younger, I felt less than everyone around me. No matter the proof of my ability, the pudding of my achievements, the accolades given, or beliefs of others in me, that tiny whisper of doubt, which could not hold its own against the faintest of feathers, killed any belief I may have had in myself. My imagination showed me being great, successful, and winning. In reality, I felt invisible, unworthy, and incapable. My mental state as a kid was one of forfeit.
"None but ourselves can free our minds" is what Bob Marley said to us in "Redemption Song." I began to free my mind as a teenager, in simply asking questions to which those in authority over me; teachers; religious leaders and elders could provide no solid answers. Though I've used it with my kids a time or two, "Because I said so" simply does not work with the matters of your Spirituality. Spirit moves in a way that is often found contradictory to the many squandered words of man. When things don't sit well with your Spirit, you know it. Yet, some of us are buried so deep beneath the rubble and debris of mis-teachings, misguidance, perverted beliefs, and corrupted foundations, we mistake our minds for our Spirit.
Scripture tells us to, "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding (Proverbs 4:5-7)." The getting of wisdom and understanding is lifelong, never-ending, and it is sought after. Opportunity knocks at the door of the house of your upbringing, taught traditions and blindly accepted ways, inviting you to hop in the car where Will is the driver. Wisdom and Understanding await somewhere down the road.
When the opportunity came for me, I turned inward, decluttering my heart and clearing my head of all that was there. Once cleared, I found the solid dolomite foundation of love, compassion, and humility. Then I began to examine all the things I cleared out, one by one. Much of it had to be thrown into the trash pile to be burned, while the rest was returned to rest upon the solid rock within. Spirit led me on, to find teachings, readings, and studies, non-traditional. Most filled in the gaps of the traditional.
Scripture even tells us to "Test all things; hold fast to what is good." The failure of this is often found in our personal determination of what is good. I can only speak for me, myself, and I & I. My personal beliefs differ from most, yet present similarities to all. As with all my shared thoughts, I do not intend to convince anyone of anything. These are basically journal entries, made public. If I had to claim a purpose for what I do here, then that purpose is to spark thought and hopefully cause some self-evaluations and honesty with that self.
Freeing my mind gave way for me to be comfortable allowing my heart, my spirit to lead me. The trinity of filters that rest within my being are Love, Compassion, and Humility. It is my belief that these are the things by which Jesus Christ operated. Many atrocities have befallen men, women, and children, by men and women who have stamped the name and a false face of the Savior upon their flags of evil, hate, depravity, perversion, greed, and destruction.
Yeah, that was a hard turn, but not off course.
We, the people, MUST realize and understand that WE are the wealth of the Earth. WE are the treasures that rest upon the land. Some of you may have heard me tell this story from years ago, or read my writings of this story, but here it is again. Back in 1998, I drove for the American Red Cross, Gulf Coast Region. Three to four nights a week, I was on the road, picking up and transporting blood/blood product to and from donor centers, hospitals, and clinics. On days when I was on call, I'd find myself transporting blood and sometimes organs for transplants in emergency situations. Anyway, one afternoon as I traveled north on I-65, the skies darkened and their bottom dropped out. The rain was hard and heavy, and one could barely see the road. Right around Atmore (part of what we call the "dirty 30"), I looked up and toward the west to see a rainbow piercing through the clouds, yet the rain was still pouring. I could see the end of the rainbow, touching down in the pasture. I was speechless, as I am witnessing the end of a rainbow with my own human eyes!! I said aloud, "Well, where's the pot of gold??" Forthwith, the base of that magnificent rainbow began to shift and get closer and closer until I and everything in that van began to sparkle and glow! I was overcome. I began to shout, freely, crazily, praising my Creator!
THIS is why I say WE are the wealth of this Earth! WE are the treasures of the One who brought us to be! We were NOT created to be what we have become! We were NOT created to be divided! We were NOT created to be ruled by corrupt, divisive politics! We were NOT created to serve the gods of pride, lust, greed, fear, selfishness, ignorance, and hatred.
If "for God so loved the world" is true, and we are created in His image and likeness, then why do WE not so love the world?? If "Jesus is Love", then why aren't we?? Laziness and lack of accountability allows us to rest in our little worlds of "they said", never testing; never challenging, simply thinking that coattails can be ridden through the pearly gates.
I say all of that, to say this:
When I emancipated myself from mental slavery, I began to live more by Love, Compassion, and Humility. The kicker is that I was BORN with these things, etched, engraved, and entombed in my very being. If my Creator is Love, so shall I be! If my Creator is Compassion, so I am! If my Creator is Humility, so am I!! We are ALL capable, but are we all accountable??
Those who have ears to hear, let them hear.......