Medieval castles are, for me, living metaphors of a different time. As I look through the lens of today, I see all-in wagers of one’s life to causes and purpose. While the cause is not always nobly related, or even if it seemed to be at the time, the scene I imagine starts with all-in bets. Lives are sacrificed for a cause. Years and decades go by, absent from family and friends, for a purpose. While it looks and sounds grand from a distance, I also see the heartache and loss that came along with the commitment.
Two questions refused to be silent as I started my day. What am I fully committed to if anything? Who is unconditionally committed to me if anyone? With the caveat that the first is an aspiration and the second is an experience-based belief, my reflections include the following.
Life reminds me of Divinity’s repeated commitment to my well-being. Repeated gifts of compassion and forgiveness speak to unconditional love and acceptance. Experiencing natural beauty and wonder speaks to a great architect who designed this world from a heart foundation. Old words speak to my life’s journey; “God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?” (Romans 8.32)
A perfect manifestation of my aspiration would take the reflection of what Divinity has and is doing for me and share it with others through my actions and relationships. As Divinity accepts me, unconditionally as I am, I would accept and respect others in the same way. Taking the way Divinity responds to every action with kindness and care, I would respond to others with support and action. With Divine hope, in good times and bad, I would be walking with those who need it most.
I love the commitment spirit of my forefathers. Following their example, my all-in commitment today is to personally realise hope, kindness, and care in every moment of the day.
