Living fearlessly

"That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. For life means more than food, and the body more than clothing"

Luke 12:34, 22.

"Sell your posessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, trreasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it."

Luke 12:34, 33.

"But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now."

Luke 6:11, 24.

People are in such a rush to be somewhere important, be somebody special, complete their ambitions and take control of their destiny before they are even old enough to get a driving license!?!?. Go to any bookshop and you will see 18 to 30 year old (sometimes even younger) celebrity autobiographies. No wonder there is a constant, low level, white noise uncertainty that you may have already "missed the boat". The pace of life and the pressures to be "perfect" are so consuming these days. We feel like we must charge along at 90mph, to reach our goals. We feel we have to own the latest home entertainment system to show that we have attained a certain position in society. The utility of an object has less meaning than it's symbolism in the contemporary world. A designer handbag with matching 6 inch heeled patented shoes may have little to know practical use but it symbolises success in society. It shows people that we are not the underdog, we are powerful before even opening our mouths.

But is there a greater strength in humility and a subtler dignity in poverty? Is their peace in choosing the right paths instead of the paths that will seemingly get us to our destination more quickly or lead us out of our responsibilities more effectivly? And what is the purpose of reaching our destination if we learned nothing on the journey? So that once we reach our destination of choice we still remain unsatisfied and impatient to seek newer, greener pastures? Is a courage in throwing off your security blankets: the expensive wardrobe, the faster car, the bigger house, the insurance policies, the credit cards and living a simpler life?

I believe that does take courage to take the first steps following an unmapped road with only faith, hope and love to guide you. But once you find your stride I know that there is also peace to be found in these ways and joy in the taking of every single small step forward. I am only at the beggining, beneath the shadow of the mountain but I know that from the mountains peak the and the possibilities will be eternal and endless.