The polished hallway created an image of going from dark to light, now to then, here to what might be. It was a bemusing illustration of a life’s journey when “I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches” (Ecclesiastes 4.14) only to ask about the point of it all. Even as I put words in one writer’s mouth, I find myself wrestling with Life’s questions about where the walk everyone takes ultimately leads me to. When I look back with more clarity than I had at the time, I see how the lights captured my attention and purpose. I wanted it all! The reward, accolades, purpose, and more. As I see the beginning and the end more clearly, I started with nothing, and I will leave with nothing. The path matters, yet maybe not for the reasons of my youth.
Life offers a chance to make a difference. In a world where one consumes and gets ahead, Life gifts us with more than shiny objects and riches. In each life and day, there are opportunities to be a part of a greater story. In this story, I can enrich another’s life. I begin with the responsibility to take care of and enhance my own. Divinity promises to be a part of the process. My enrichment starts here, with her. In focusing on the work of care and the opportunities it represents, I discovered my calling and purpose. I am Divinity’s partner, ambassador, and confidante. The inner dialogue can be a sacred conversation with an invitation to actively restore and recreate Divinity’s vision of compassion, kindness, and care within every individual.
Life offers an opportunity to experience and record relationships, growth, and what it means to be part of a community. I am one of the memory tapes of Divinity’s story. It contains the records of creation, restoration, beauty, love, and ultimately recreation. The broad brushstrokes are Divine promises of being present and engaged in my life. What happens next is my contribution. Today is part of my contribution.
