Lent

Submitted January 31, 2005

MEANING IN THE EVERY DAY DRAMA OF OUR LIVES?

As I confront critical moments darkened by indecision, I turn to God who is the power to resist despair and allows us to keep going. Believing in God, I believe in myself and by believing in myself, I feel confident and respond to the difference between suffering and struggling. A favorite passage of Scripture is found in the Epistle written by Apostle Paul to the Romans (8:31), AIf God be with you, no one can be against you. The verse boldly rephrased states, AHave God in your thoughts, and you can displace puerile thinking with positive thoughts and be on your way to attain your objective.

The way in which we take up the cross gives deeper meaning to life. Amongst the most admired is one who chairs numerous philanthropic and civic activities. Her father was Douglas Southall Freeman, a distinguished Pulitzer Prize winning author and Editor of the Richmond News Leader. I vividly recall when we exchanged suggestions relative to the homeless of our city, she related, AI know what it is to wear your older sister=s coats and clothing. I interrupted to ease her openness, AI never imagined you having difficulties. A faint smile covered her innocent expression, APlenty, but I have developed a philosophy about difficulty. I learned from my father to always believe in God and to believe in myself. (In mid-January of this year Mary Tyler Cheek McClanahan, at the age of 87 years breathed her last.)

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Pastor Emeritus of the Fourth Baptist Church, who as we attempt to solve social problems, can be heard to softly hum the hymn, AGod Will Take Care Of You. The spiritual hymn eases tension and instills confidence to undertake what is ahead. In private moments, he has confided, AWhen I was a boy, we had nothing, we were poor. God had to take care of us and He did. To quote Kathleen Raine, AMysterious wisdom won by toil.

A parishioner who has undergone several severe operations expressed to those about his hospital bed, AGod is with me and he helps me. I feel strong. My illnesses made me a new man. Thank God, for difficulties. His growth came through conflict and change from response to defeat.

Many young people believe in God but unfortunately, most do not believe in themselves. Their doubts are reflected in lives filled with the emotional pain as they seek to answer, AWhat are you doing here? and AWhat are you waiting for? The solution is to get to know God, because as you become acquainted with God, you begin as the ancient philosopher Socrates advocated, to Aknow yourself. As one begins to know himself, he begins to overcome doubts, to have higher self worth, and to believe in himself. A letter, I received from a young member of our congregation described how the centuries old Orthodox Christian Liturgy, ALifts up in her the presence of God and she begins to feel good about herself.

Who is our greatest benefactor? The One who believes in you. Who is your best friend? The One who makes you believe in yourself. That best friend is our God of love who seeks to have you believe in yourself. All that is to be seen about us, will one day disappear. Only God=s love for humanity will remain, for only love can conquer death.



Volume 7 Number 6 - Tuesday, February 8th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY