‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ – John 1:5 ESV. In our world of every challenging moments, it’s comforting to know that the gloom that often descends on us has never blackened out the light. Hope is in the faith that a spiritual presence is always working behind the scenes for the good of ALL people.
In a land where death casts its shadow A light is shining bright Through the darkest despair there’s a promise Where tomorrow will be alright Come and sit by the well of assurance Come where hope is still alive A light is shining with love and with calmness And that light is shining bright ~ E.M.
The ever widening chasms between each of us seem to grow daily as we continue to establish barriers between what we call acceptable, and what we deem objectionable. In doing so I’m afraid we’re dismissing an important narrative to our happiness. The moment we start to discount our differences, is the moment we start to cheat ourselves out of the things that can make our lives richer. Our ingenuity illustrates our individuality. We’ve got it all messed up. In our quest to get on with each other, we’ve told many people to get out. Instead of drawing the world a little closer we are drawing divisional lines in the sand. We’re not closing gaps, we’re creating gaps.
When we close our ears and eyes we are missing the beauty of an extremely diverse world. A world that was created for our benefit. It was created out of love for us. All of it’s beauty and splendor was designed by our Creator, for good! So what does it say when we turn from His ideals, from what He deems good for us, from His loving vision of our lives (Ephesians 2:10)?
Diversity does not demand division.
We bridge the gaps by putting aside our differences, by opening our eyes and ears to new and different sounds and sights. When we open our mind to new ideas evolution can occur. The natural flow to a united and loving world begins with a judgement free view of life (Romans 12:16). Thankfully we don’t all lookalike, and soundalike. That would be pretty boring don’t you think? Well thinking everyone should think alike is the same thing. It’s a very narrow view of a very panoramic creation.
So I spend my days first trying to identify, and then trying to bridge these gaps. The inspiration comes from my never ending idealistic dream of a loving united world. One that cares for others more than themselves. One that truly finds more satisfaction in the act of giving than in receiving (2 Corinthians 9:7). A world that differs a great deal from the one I currently seem to live in.
My platform for such change has always been music. I find enormous joy in touching the hearts of others through poetry and song. A tough message can be much easier on the ear when it’s riding the the crest of a memorable melody. or being propelled along by an irresistible rhythm.
Come, let us walk together Come. let us walk hand in hand Cone, let speak with one voice Come, let us walk in the light of love ~ E.M. (‘Come. Let Us Walk’)
My plea is one of compassion. If we start with a loving approach to our differences I believe that we would see and hear things with a new found appreciation. I invite you to join me in opening up a new world of inspiration. Pray for a cleansing view of the world. Ask God for new ears and eyes that would lovingly see and hear the beauty of diversity. That fresh mindset will bridge gaps both small and large over a period of time. A period of time when we can draw closer as friends and families… as our Creator intended.
My motivation each and everyday is to serve and give back simply because I’ve been so blessed. I love on others because I was first loved. I know it can sound too sweet at times, but the truth is the truth, and that’s the honest …
My Alms – from the Chapel Songs album.
Let my love be my mark… Be my mark in this world Let my love be my alms… Be my alms to the Lord ~ E.M.
I really enjoy writing as a way to serve creation. I find myself almost daily moved to share the beauty and diversity that’s on display. For me, the satisfaction is in the communication, the entertaining, lifting or enlightening possibility… if only just for a moment.
I love that I have been blessed to settle into two very creative settings. One in Bucks County, PA, and another on a barrier island in Brevard County, FL. Both homesteads are remote without being out-of-touch with society, and offer a personal connection to nature. What I love the most is that I’ve found them both to be spiritually inspiring places to call home.
When my path is straight And love replaces hate Don’t you know I’m home again ~ E.M.
I wake each day feeling blessed. When I take an honest look at my life I see providence. My life is a web, one thread after another, of fortunate occurrences that I have had nothing to do with. Mind you I do have free will and have had to make decisions throughout my journey, but the overriding opportunities seem to have the fingerprints of another.
And so yes I often feel blessed. Yeah, it rains from time to time, but even the occasional darkness always gives way to light sooner or later, and the underlying fact is that each day is beautiful in it’s own way, and there lies the blessing.
I just hate to hear someone say I can’t. As in, I can’t do this; I can’t do that; I can’t say that. In a world of ambiguity that word just rings of negativity.Whenever I hear some say I can’t, I hear God say I can.
When you move irrelevant When you’re the hued elephant When you hear yourself exclaiming, “I can’t!” Walk in Canaan ~ E.M.
What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?
Wow! I’ve been championing a world that embraces diversity for some time now. So that would be the greatest change that I could ever hope for.
I in them and you in me and we in kind can change the world together May we experience a unity like never before A neighborhood of brotherhood and sisterhood as one together How deep and broad we flow from shore to shore ~ E.M.