Nothing Else Matters

I've been feeling a bit stressed out of late., but today I felt a wave of peace overtake me. Even now, I feel it washing away all the negativity that's been clouding my mind. Being still is working, being still has shown me that nothing else matters - all the frustrations, the building anxiety, the worry, the doubt - it doesn't matter. Yesterday, on two occasions, neighbors that I'd never spoken to in the time that I've lived in my apartment stopped me as I made my way home. They both asked me if I would be willing to help them, to assist them with wants and needs that they have; an advocate of change was called upon. According to the message that Pastor Bob preached on Sunday, we are, as Christians, advocates of change. We are to be the flavor (e.g. salt) and the water (i.e. sustainer of life - spiritually) in the environments that we occupy and the space that we occupy is occupied for a reason - that reason being to spread the love of Christ.

I personally think it's easy to love people that you like. When I like somebody, I'm all about trying to do for them, or help them out. When I don't like them, or if I feel like the other person somehow inconveniences me, I feel a sense of dread and apathy for their lives, personal stories and even their needs because being around them sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable. How easy it is to think it's all about "me" when it (i.e. life) is really about "them." I'm realizing, the hard way, that words and actions make an impact on people's lives. It seems the good deeds are relished and enjoyed in prayer and possibly those introspective moments when you sit and are thankful for all that occurred. The bad deeds or bad jokes - inappropriately timed that produce hearty belly laughter are what's talked about publicly with an "I remember when you said...that was funny." Even though both moments make an impact, I'm left to question what type of impact I want to make.