Our Deepest Fear...

    “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”


This inspiring quote by Marianne Williamson is from her book, A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3 (Pg. 190-191).

What a day…

So, today I spent my first day, on the job, in a classroom. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been a little nervous about today for a couple of weeks. I’m not exactly sure why I was nervous, maybe I was worried that I made a mistake. That what I thought was God’s leading was my desire to have a full time job. That somehow my judgment was clouded by my own circumstances. I’m sure that sounds crazy to many of you but hearing and understanding the will of God is something that I’ve questioned my ability on. Today it was made clear to me that I am exactly where I belong.

A little more than 18 years ago, I can’t believe it was that long ago, I sat in a classroom much like the one I sat in today and a video rolled that showed the storied history of the US Army. Had I not been in a room with fellow recruits, Sergeants, Captains, and Colonels I’d have been a blubbering baby. I was overwhelmed with the pride of being part of something so far beyond myself and with the privilege to walk in the shoes of men and women who had always had my deepest respect. Today that same feeling came over me. I choked back tears as I watched the history of the American Red Cross and the amazing humanitarian acts, and people, which define the organization.

As I sat through the training and heard words like stewardship, service, and unity I was convinced that the foundation that Henri Dunant laid was inspired by his personal faith in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, because of the political correctness of today’s society, the ARC says nothing about this but with a little bit of research it becomes evident. Though he may not have set out to, the foundation on which Dunant began his vision of the Red Cross was the Rock of his Salvation. With that, his ideas were also the foundation of the International Humanitarian Law. These laws are what the Geneva Conventions are based on. “Love your enemies” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” ring out loudly from Mr. Dunant’s ideas.

I have been immeasurably blessed with the opportunity to be part of an organization that believes serving humanity is of great importance. Yes, it has gotten clouded by the political correctness of the day, including the addition of the Red Crescent and Red Crystal, but the basic foundations are still there. And for those of us whose foundation is the Rock of Salvation we can know that we are being the hands of Christ as we serve those in their second greatest need. Their first being the Grace and Mercy that God offers freely through belief in His perfect Son; maybe we’ll have an opportunity to offer that to them as well.