The Lessers

Society contends that I am of greater value because of my nationality, educational background, socio-economic class level, and the experiences I’ve had around the world. The poor and uneducated individuals living all around me and earning less than two dollars a day are labeled as individuals of lesser importance. I refute this.

As I’ve come to understand, these individuals are some of life’s greatest teachers. Do they know this? Of course not. However, I have found that theses individuals are often deeply convicted on truths that tend to pass us – “the privileged” – by. The poor often live lives of perpetual unease and discomfort. This drives many of them to constantly seek spiritual comfort. As a result, many discover truths that are overlooked by the majority. It is only in places of discomfort that radical spiritual growth tends to occur. The “have-nots” are forced into this without choice while the “haves” must consciously choose to enter places of unease. From a worldly perspective, the latter eludes natural reason. Thus, it can only be done when in pursuit of something higher. This is the essence of Jesus’ teachings.

Going forward, I realize that it is in my best interest to spend more time with the “lessers” as I’ve come to believe that “less” actually equates to a whole lot “more” in the spiritual realm. The poor friends that I do have feel that I have made a dramatic impact in their lives by simply showing that I care for them. Each one of these people tells me that they are praying for blessings to be bestowed upon me. And, for some reason, I find myself believing their words much more than a wealthy counterpart telling me the same thing. There is an irony, though, that my poor friends fail to grasp. It is their friendship to me that is the blessing they are praying to be bestowed upon me!

TS

A Benny Hinn Experience... Uganda Style!

Benny Hinn was an interesting experience. We came in late but just before he took the stage. There were a few open seats on the back row of the 6,000-seat church auditorium, so we took those. Shortly after he took the stage, it became the typical Benny Hinn style service that you are surely envisioning.

Pointing to his right, he enthusiastically proclaimed that someone wearing yellow was having pain in one of their arms. He called on that person to come forward. Benny's staff of young white guys frantically ran around in search of this "man in the yellow shirt"! Nobody came forward. As they searched, Benny turned to his left, declaring that someone in this section of the audience had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Quickly, someone came forward, confirming that they had cancer. Benny imparted the power of the Spirit onto this lady with his hand, sending the lady flailing backwards into the arms of two young white guys.

While this was happening, I noticed the other two white guys scavenging through the crowd for the yellow-shirt person. They were becoming restless. At one point, I was certain that one of the guys was about to smack a black guy in a yellow shirt so as to create the shoulder pain on the spot. These guys were clearly under pressure to find the pained person. After "healing" the lady, Benny turned back to his right in search of the yellow-shirt person. Having had no success, Benny whipped, "Come on guys, hurry up and find this person! You act like working for the Kingdom is easy work. It's not easy to work for the Lord!"

Benny then turned back to the cameras, saying, "I came here to teach, but when I took the podium, the Lord clearly told me that tonight is a night of healing. God told me, 'Benny, this is a day of healing - not teaching.'" Hinn went on to proclaim the power of Jesus and how the Spirit was moving in that place.

Well, we ended up leaving before they ever found the yellow-shirt person, but I found this to be a fascinating experience. I told my friend that if I made a list of 1,000 things to do before I die that this would probably be on that list. I am glad I went. Whether these "miracles" were indeed miracles isn't really that important. The important thing is the faithfulness I saw in the hearts of thousands of Ugandans that night. They were absorbed in their pursuit of the Lord. Now, that is powerful.

TS

The Dark Continent... But Why?

Africa is called the "Dark Continent." This unfortunate label shrouds Africa with a depressing connotation - a place of starvation, poverty, instability, and corruption. Western aid organizations come to Africa in droves, seeking to make a positive impact. They come under names such as Save the Children, Food for the Hungry, Hope International, World Food Program, USAID, etc etc. While altruistic, these aid agencies have historically sent a sub-conscious message to Africans that they are incapable and lack the ability to develop on their own.

Generally speaking, most aid agencies are headquartered in the West (Europe or USA). These countries are able to support such organizations because of the great wealth that is on both continents. If we look back, we see that this wealth creation was derived from a system based on capitalism. That is the "system" that the West knows best in terms of development. However, when it comes to Africa, history has shown that the thinking of Westerners is ironically reversed entirely. Compassion for the suffering urges us to "give." This giving is called "development aid." Unfortunately, it completely undermines a country's economic pursuit of a sound capitalistic society.

This is the most poignant realization that has come to me since seeking to examine Africa's situation in greater depth. The psychological approach to Africa in the West must be reversed. Yes, this is a land of heart-wrenching suffering. Yet, our focus should not exclusively be on this negative. We must focus on the great opportunities and possibilities that Africa beholds. It is imperative, though, that we pursue those endeavors that fit into the mold of the system we know best - capitalism. Economic development can then occur naturally.

TS

The Beauty of Nothingness

Loud praise-and-worship music fills the room that I sit in. I hear silence. My mind separates this noise from the silence that allows it to exist. This realization that “something” (music) can only exist when there is first a “nothing” (silence) poignantly strikes me. As the music blares and those around me shout their words of praise, I rest in a peaceful place of stillness. This inner transformation amazes me, as I feel an intimacy with the Higher Power that rarely touches me. Typically, my mind would be lost in words and images, as I sing songs of adoration to such music. I would be out of touch with the greater realities of existence.

Soon, I open my mind to the “noise” that fills the room. I now hear a beautifully vibrant song that strikes my ears with an incredible intensity. The existence of this music is fully present in my mind because of my shift from “nothing” to “something.” I am receiving the frequencies of this sound in totality. The deep reality of this experience brings a strongly rooted feeling of gratitude to me. Life is radiantly beaming, and I’m tuned into it. Only through the stillness of my mind and removal of thoughts does this occur though. It is rare for me to enter this state of being. Nevertheless, this is what I aim for. It is the basis of my life’s effort and journey.

There can only be “something” because of the “nothing” that exists beneath it. The couch in your living room can only exist because of the empty space that comes before it. Your good friend is only able to exist because of the “nothingness” that was prior. The song you listen to can be heard only because of the silence that is underneath it.

By recognizing this “nothingness” that underlies all that is “something,” we are enabled to completely receive the total existence of that “something.” The existence of the couch, song, or good friend is to then be viewed as a miracle. Peaceful thanksgiving fills my heart as I recognize the Creator’s use of “nothing” to create “something” very beautiful!

Relational Gateways

I’ve become convicted of the belief that life is based upon relationships. Of course, we know this in rudimentary terms, as it is human interaction that creates an evolutionary world. Though, I’ve come to look at human relationships as being something much deeper. After all, it is the loving relationship that we yearn for most. The deepest part of our “self” wants to be lovingly accepted by those we interact with. For it is such loving relationships that bring the greatest joys to our lives.

If we are of right mind, we will surely pursue such joys on a consistent basis. Everyday, we have the opportunity to deepen relationships or begin new ones. They can be basic or complex. They can be brief or lengthy. Whenever we interact with another person, we have the choice of whether to be authentic with that person. You might ask the supermarket clerk about her family or the janitor about his hobby. You might compliment your colleague on his work or ask your children about the emotions they felt during the day. These are the people in your life each day that you can draw closer to by simply being sincere. Were you thinking about this as you spoke to others today? I’m often not.

Upon accepting that life is founded on relationships, we must assess our lives to see if we are living out such a belief. We must become completely relationally minded. Our actions should be guided by our desire for loving relationships. If we wish to be loved, we must love. This law of nature must be adhered to.

As I personally began to reflect on these truths, I realized that an aspect of my life had drifted far from this thinking. The bulk of my day is presently spent working on business projects or meeting with businesspeople. My mind is inundated with thoughts about business. Rather ambitious, I envision lofty ideals and the creation of widespread impact based on altruism. As is the case, I have made these goals the center of my agenda. When I meet with people, my mind is set on how we can work together so as to achieve our goals.

I must reverse this thinking. I must begin to look at business and these goals as being a relational gateway to the greater purpose. That is, business must act as a tool that is a means to the end of forming loving relationships. Therefore, the true aim of business is to form authentically selfless relationships – not to achieve great things in the future. Though, I do believe that it is through such types of relationships that revolutionary change manifests!

Is your life guided by the desire to have sincere relationships? I hope that it is, and I encourage you to deepen this desire. Take an extra minute today and learn about the life of the janitor, store clerk, secretary, banker, child, boss, etc. I promise that you will be rewarded – as will they!

TS

Reflection of a Skull

Staring into the deadness of a human skull, I find myself falling into a deeply meditative state of reflection. My inner self seems to connect with the reality of this skull. The skull is completely dead; I am full of life. Yet, there is a human skull presently within me. The paradox only comes full circle as I clearly see the life that has been breathed into me. Soon, that reality will vanish.

A young Rwandan man once inhabited this skull. His life was seemingly cut short at the hands of Hutu rebels. He was slaughtered to death by machete in the 1994 genocide that claimed nearly 1,000,000 lives in a matter of 100 days. The breath of his life vanished without notice. Now, only his skull remains as a testament to his existence.

One day his skull will disintegrate, following the path that nature has carved. My skull will also follow this course. As I relate to these truths, I’m forced to realize the spectacular moment that is before me. It is the precise moment in which life has been breathed within my seemingly dead body. And I find myself wasting much of this precious time.

My mind runs rampant with ideas of how to create positive change and in search of exploration. I’m distracted from the deeper realm of reality and the temporal nature of my being. I ambitiously set out to “accomplish,” setting aside thoughts of the nature of my existence. Everyday, I tend to fail in connecting with these fundamentally important truths. I get carried away with what my mind deems to be “life.” Incredibly, I miss out on the simple truth that life is simply “breath.”

It is written in Genesis, “for dust you are and dust you will return.” These words speak to me strongly as I look into the lifelessness of the skull. I sense the dust that I am. Yet, I find a connection with the Divine – that which breathes life into me. This is the only basis for life.

I find myself called to live in stronger connection with the Divine by holding a heightened awareness of the breath of life within me. My mind’s scattered and convoluted thoughts must be set aside. The simplicity of life must always remain present within me each moment of my day.

Remember; your skull will soon lack the breath of life as well.

TS

Uganda

It is a place I’ve never been. It is a place where I have only one personal friend. It is a place I rarely think of.

Uganda will become my home in one week. I know only where I will stay my first several nights. I have no job nor do I know exactly what work I will seek. Though, a deep sense of spiritual peace resides within me as I prepare to make this move. Such peace also seems to be the source of the energy that drives me. In many ways, this is a step of faith as the order of unknowns does not cease. Yet, my adventurous spirit also intervenes and guides my steps.

My heart’s current calling urges me to learn business in the African context. The physical suffering on this continent holds an unprecedented stake in the world’s history of man’s failures. You know the statistics. You’ve seen the pictures. Africa needs change. I believe that such needed change is to come. Business will be the driving force. At a time like no other, Africa is poising to become the next “economic boom.”

I envision an Africa of opportunity. I envision the West investing money in entrepreneurial ventures throughout the continent. I envision economic development bringing prosperity, which may be defined as simply having three meals per day.

As this next step in my life has come clearly before me, the following step remains in complete darkness. I dream that through business I may bring prosperity to others. That is, I dream that prosperity of the heart will come forth within those that I interact with. By mutually sharing in the love that Jesus brought into this world, I rest confidentially that such spiritual prosperity will follow! And, just maybe, this love can be shared over three meals per day with all Africans. This is my dream!

TS