Isn't it funny how hours, days, weeks, months, even years can pass and we can just continue going about our day to day lives, completely consumed with our lives and our selves. We get so busy, sometimes, we don't even take a moment to look around and realise those around us, running this rat race right beside us. And then sometimes, when you least expect it, everything stops, even if just for a second. Something happens, and epiphany of sorts that just makes you stop, and glacne around. Makes you realize the people beside you, around you, your neighbors, friends, complete strangers. You realize they each have a story, their own struggle, their own pain. We realize, we are not the only ones going through this life. Maybe I said all of that to say, that I had one of those moments today, or several of them recently, but one inparticular today.
I went in to work today and about an hour after being there, my manager found out that his best friend committed suicide. I didn't know his friend, but anytime you hear of a death somewhere near you, or at least for me, I feel some sorrow. But in this case, it really hit me hard. Maybe because it was a suicide and the death was caused by different circumstances. I don't know, but it hit me. I felt as loss. Not because I knew this person, or felt I would miss him, but a loss as a Christian. I had a friend tell me once that they thought that suicide was the ultimate rebellion against God and they believed that anyone who committed suicide wouldn't get into heaven. I don't know if this is true or not, but the thought that someone would live their lives ins so much pain, and hurt, and hopelessness, that they would feel the only way to end the agony would be to take their own life, is so sadening. I think when you know someone who committs suicide you feel as if you could have or should have done something. But, in this case, I felt no responsibility personally, in as much I felt responsible and guilty as a Christian. We were called to spread the love of Christ to others. And I think that the fact there is anyone out there committing suicide or inflicting pain on themselves is proof enough that we are not doing our jobs. Because if we were, if we were trully spreading the love that Christ set and example for us to spread, no one would be in need or hurting. Especially not to the degree that one would feel the need to take their own life.
Last night my pastor was speaking on the parable of the three men that a master intrusted talents to. About the two who took their talents and doubled them and the one who just buried his talent and brought it back to the master. The master was very displeased with this servant because he had done nothing with the talent he was given. Towards the end of the sermon he said something that really hit me. He said that every need in this world is a buried talent. God has placed special gifts in all of us that He calls us to share with the world, to help and to spread his message and love. God didn't short chance anyone. He sent enough gifts to go around so that no one would be in need, but so often, we choose to bury our talents rather then to use them to help others.
Maybe you don't feel you are anyone special, but God's own diciples were just fishermen and carpenters. He doesn't call us to be perfect or amazing, He just calls us to be willing and to be servants. Maybe if we all just stopped occasionally, and opened up our eyes to the world around us, even helped in small ways, we can make a difference. Maybe if we'd just love, there would be a lot less pain in this world!
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