Awareness

I met with a group struggling to come to terms with a recent shared traumatic event.  The full range of emotions were on display, including anger, frustration, relief, joy, and confusion.  They wanted to know the answer to the age of question, why?  They demanded to understand the logic behind the sequence of events.  It was easy to see that they were looking for assurance, confidence, and a renewed sense of belonging. 
As we talked, remembered, and at times laughed, I realized that it was my role to tell them what they already knew inside.  Life events often unfold for reasons that have little to do with the individual, no matter how much we believe that it is all about “us”.  The fact that someone no longer wants, needs, or desires to have the skills that you offer does not suggest that one's skills are not valuable.  Anything that has happened is part of the past.  Focusing on this for any reason other than learning is an exercise that likely has little value.  The question then and now lies in our response to the moment at hand.  What do we believe?  What is our response?  Does our action reflect the Hope that is always with us?
Sometimes one does not realize what they have until they do not have it.  This is especially true when it comes to Hope and Faith, Evil's arch enemies.  For reasons that continue to confuse me, I easily embrace Despair while walking away from Hope.  I love Doubt while spurning Faith's embrace.  I wander after Self even as I look for Community.
God's home is within your heart and mine.  Even as I search for the Spirit, I am reminded that each had “it with them as they followed Joshua, when God cleared the land of pagans, and still had it right down to the time of David.  David asked God for a permanent place for worship.  But Solomon built it.” (Acts 7.45-47)  God instilled it in every life.  It starts within and opens its doors to those in our lives.