In my self-centric world, I blissfully forget that the rest of the world walks on regardless of where in the recovery process I find myself. It is sadly funny. In far too many ways, I behave as if the world revolves around what is in my vision. I know there is more than my life, yet somehow, someway, there should be a connection between what is going on in my world and those in my friendship network. Two phone calls today reminded me how utterly selfish, foolish, and ironic this behavior is.
The reality is that we are in a boat together. Each knows someone that is struggling with difficulties greater than our own. Family and friends are struggling to simply survive day to day. Hope seems to have disappeared. Support, often taken for granted, is slippery at best. Viable opportunities are beyond anyone’s immediate vision, at best just over a horizon that seems to grow more distant with each passing day.
The challenges we face are real, painful, and life threatening. As I listen, I find myself thankful for what I have, in awe of the moment at hand, and called to raise Hope’s banner. We are in the storm of our life. We are also in a place where we are able to help those around us. Nothing seems absolutely guaranteed and certain, for anyone. It may seem like nothing is, except for insight that God has already completed Divinity’s work on our behalf. Our boat may seem to be in the dark yet we hold an incredible light.
Divinity is piloting our path, individually and as a community. “The Message he [God] sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone.” (Acts 10.36) The question for us is one of listening – do we hear, are we helping? We can be a difference – to others and to our souls. In uncertainty, we can deliver hope. For pain, we can bring compassion and empathy. Engaged living can respond to unknowns.
