A LONG WAY TO GO

Someone asked me the other day, “what do you long for?“ I’ve been asked that question before. When Pam and I attended a financial seminar back in the 90s, the speaker said, “Don’t you long for heaven?“

At that time I was so busy trying to support my family and make a living that I didn’t have time to long for much of anything except the next gig. Years, difficulties and experience have changed that for me.

In the middle of the ideological turmoil, and pandemic, there is the ongoing devastation of the disenfranchised, and it is overwhelming to me. I can only do what I can do to give and serve, but it definitely gives me a sense of helplessness to a degree. So yes, to be honest, I have a longing for heaven.

But in the meantime, there is another want I have. It’s a longing for the process of living, looking forward to what is presently, the right now and the next breath.. to make a difference, no matter how small.

This is what I’ve come to realize. What I call the process…God calls the end. It is the process itself, the right now, presently, when God has my attention.

As I understand it more, there is hope, and this encouraging thought. There are no little things with God, and all my pontificating and opinions so loudly shouted, do not carry the meaningful force I might think.

Who am I kidding. I can’t control the big machine around me. Rather, it is the foundational constructive things that I can control..those seemingly little things, like kindness, joy, peace and service to the poor in spirit. These are the beautiful things. The powerful things.

Living the Gospel isn’t reserved for those whom I consider likeminded. It’s so easy for me to love people who agree with me. What I do desperately need to get better at, is demonstrating the fruit of the spirit with those who do not hold the same views…and I’ve got a long way to go.

As I understand it more,