Music moves my whole life. It soothes the savage beast within me. Sometimes I'm a kitten and sometimes as a Leo, my inner lioness roars and truth be told, nips. I prefer the kitten as I know most that know me do as well. It is highly recommended, therefore, to be gentle. (:
We all have a 'side' to us that we'd prefer the world didn't see. I'm trying to be more transparent these days especially knowing how short life is and how hard it can be to overcome life's many challenges. I am the salt of the earth. In human form, I come from a working class family and have had to work for everything that I have. In spiritual form, I am but a reflection of God's love still in the throws of growing into perfection. We will be like Him when He is revealed. Glory to God.
I am currently not the illness that happens to be passing through my body. I am not the emotions that I struggle with. I am not my past but I am responsible. I am not my failed or successful relationships that I engage in. I am not the job that I work so very hard at. I am not my hopes and dreams, those realized and those I'm still working on. I am not my ego, my body or my brain. I am not the things people say about me. I am none of these things.
I am not even the image that so perfectly captured the lost, hurt child in the photo below which was taken in my formative years. As my perfect life was falling apart in March of 1978, I was only 15 years old and I was completely lost.
I am also not the most recent image below taken in my current state of being. It's 2013 and I've still so much to learn, live, share and give.
Following the Shepherd does not make us weak. Following the Shepherd makes us strong. It helps us navigate His creation - this life He's given us. God sees us as a helpless, sweet, soft, little, blemish free, innocent lambs which we all know we are not if we are without Him. We are all together different without Him. A lamb is a soft, gentle being that needs guidance and also needs protection from all the snares that accompany this gift. God knew that this life would be frought with evils the mind could not comprehend let alone defend itself against. There is trickery, and illusion. There is real hate and a real war of separation. Christ, the Shepherd, did not die on the cross forgiving his crucifiers because there was no war. He died so our eyes would be opened to the reality that is this life. The reward after living this life for Christ is nothing like the reward for living for the opposition. What opposition? There is an opposing, completely different force in this world and Christ knew that His people, His flock would be attacked at the very first opportunity. Some would even be seduced and fooled. The attacks come in all shapes and sizes, promises of great fortune and greatness of all kinds. Even a false sense of comfort. Of course these are disguised and it's the fool that grasps the golden ring and forsakes the Shepherd, but even fools have an opportunity to come home. Even fools.
I aspire to be a reflection of God's love. Period. No matter what you do to me.
I hope you love the lyrics and the video I'm posting here today. As I recover from so many things, it comforts me because I am well acquainted with the divine inspiration with which For King and Country created this masterpiece. It is for all sheep, lambs, children of God, of which I am proudly one. Don't be fooled however, it's the disillusioned that need saving. It's the lost that need the Shepherd the most.
Live your life like you mean it, like it is a gift from God, which it is. A miraculous gift, nothing to be taken lightly or for granted. Live your life like Spirit is watching and teaching and praying that you will get the real reason you are here. Take each opportunity to learn in a way that is giving, forgiving and loving. This is not about money, fame or fortune, titles, possessions or the glory you give yourself for your accomplishments. God forbid. Many sell their souls to the devil for one thin dime and a thin dime is all you will get.
I love you and I pray that you'll look deep within. The truth is all in there if you'll only humble yourself, pray, and believe. If you shut the door before you take your last breath, you may be trapped in more misery in spirit then you ever were in human form. Disobedience or lack of respect and humility leads to more life lessons. Maybe even more lives. Let's hope you don't come back as a lamb. Some only make it to the dinner plate. But that's Buddhism and that's not what were talking about here. A soul that forsakes God gets its just reward as does a faithful follower. Jesus is the true and just Judge. The King knows His sheep. He calls them by name and they know His voice.
Time is on your side though. You only need but a moment like the prodigal son. Forgiveness is yours for the asking.
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's word with power, revealing all of His mysteries and making everything as plain as day, and if I have faith to say to a mountain jump and it jumps but I don't love I'm nothing. If I give all I earn to the poor or even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, no matter what I believe, no matter what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."
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