It’s probably the worst choice you can make: Getting up earlier than usual because you need to catch a flight…and then watching news headlines and Facebook stories while you drink your EARLY morning coffee. Somehow the sadness strikes harder when you’re still technically asleep.

The human race is cruel as powerful men abuse privileges and keep people in poverty; Ordinary people-evil ones-abuse animals; People resort to stealing simply to survive; THE WORLD IS SAD.

And like icing on a cake I’ve learnt a lot about fake news this past year so I don’t even know which of the stories are true anymore. And which is worse? That there are horrible things happening or that I don’t know which stories the media made up?

So here are my thoughts then: Why did I get up this morning? Why try to survive and excel in such a hopeless (feeling not fact) world? Why try to make a difference if everything seems to go downhill…fast…always.

So that’s how I get into the car and I feel the tears welling up because despondency is slowly creeping in. But as I share my thoughts with hubby my words also spark that other thought which always trumps these feelings: God has hope.

God has hope for tomorrow otherwise He wouldn’t have given me purpose. He sees the future and in it many people and situations are different from today. Why? Because PEOPLE. People start up businesses to help others prosper. Ministries start up anti-trafficking projects (Thank you A21 for always inspiring me). I am better off today because people heeded His words and I can do the same for others. For every animal abusing idiot there are a few who fight back and clean up the mess.

I guess that’s what’s frustrating. Instead of simply using the potential He gave us to help this world flourish we often have to fix mistakes others have made. Yup. That’s just stupid. We are a stupid race.

So here’s my challenge: Do I get pulled down into the abyss of hopelessness or will I slot into His way of thinking?

There was this one morning when a political story had me doubt all I hope for this country. The minute I burst into tears-simply not seeing how anything is going to end well in SA-my God gave me Word and shared His point of view with me. And it was good. I’m not saying easy. But in the end: Good.

And that’s all I have. His perspective. Only it’s very hard to hold onto sometimes.

It’s what sets us apart from the crowds I guess: Will we do what they do or follow His ways? Will we FEEL what they feel or trust His opinion?

It’s hard. But it’s what He calls us to when He says we should not be of this world. We should be OF HIS THINKING.

It’s not easy today. But that’s the power of free will. I can act and do like the masses or choose to be the one who turns around and I may just change the direction this stream is flowing.

He’s a long term planning God. And I want to see what He makes happen a few years from now. So I won’t judge this life by what I see today.

I sit and talk politics with my husband and I realise how we as humans lack commitment. So many of my friends—and yes me too—have started on great journeys. We find purpose and then we find pleasure in other things…so we get sidetracked.

I believe God gave us all the potential to turn this earth into a glorious place to live in. All our resources are here.

But we choose to walk the other way. We decide to follow selfish goals. We decide to ruin the environment. We decide to pursue things that would destroy others.

We can be better but we choose not to. This is a global but also a very personal issue.

We Miss the Mark

What are the things that made you miss out on goals you had 10 years ago?

I think power, money and sex have stolen some of the world’s greatest accomplishments. I’m talking about peace, showing love and doing something for the greater good.

 

Too Many People Miss the Mark

I don’t like Trump. All my friends know it. Still I know he’s doing good things too. But I’m scared his arrogance will lead to disaster. And if he does amazing things while being a twisted, manipulative, chauvinistic, selfish idiot…imagine what he can do with a few better traits than bullying.

I read a book about Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma years ago and what hit me was this: The potential of what one person can do in a country. I was impressed. And now, years later, she is criticized for her treatment of the Rohingya situation in her country. She started out so well…

I don’t claim to be a political expert. I don’t know all the facts. All I know is people with great power don’t produce all the wonderful outcomes they’re capable of.

I have friends with talents and dreams and when I have to say how many of them kept to their original convictions…that percentage is remarkably small.

I Miss the Mark

And then I have to evaluate myself. And then I have to admit my mistakes. My faults for not pushing through to achieve certain goals.

Personally I often relied on people to help me get there and when they disappear I don’t have the courage to keep going. Or perhaps I simply don’t believe enough in myself to try it on my own. Or a disappointment seems too big and I simply give up praying.

The Magic Word: YET

So there’s one thing that gives me hope.

There is one word I can add to these stories: YET.

I haven’t reached it YET. Trump is not a nice man YET. The world is not an ideal place YET. South Africa hasn’t found peace YET.

My fight is to net let the status quo depress me.

The Change

I think I’ve been in a slumber for a long time. Perhaps you’ve gone through those seasons when all you want to do is browse on Facebook and hide from all responsibilities.

But in the past few weeks I’ve experienced change in my actions. Something happened…a person, a book, the Word, enough rest or the most powerful of all I believe: A choice

A spark to be better, to do more, to chase those dreams again. What I haven’t achieved YET can still be in my tomorrows.

What the world is supposed to be can still become true. Because at one stage a World War ended, slavery came to an end and someone in the depths of despair found a solution in God.

Perhaps it’s naive to wish for perfect, but if I change a life like some people have changed mine for the better that’s something. And if that happens over and over and over again…we can YET build a better world.

I’ve been struggling with something for months.

It’s like: A part of your brain knows what the right thing is to do. For me, this time around, it’s about how I’m supposed to deal with certain people. I know I’m supposed to be more loving, kind, accepting. That gets difficult when lies and deception brought along distrust.

But I know my judging approach-and fiery temper-is not the answer.

So today I realised: I may not feel that love, kindness and acceptance at the moment. Perhaps I won’t feel it for a long while. But that doesn’t mean I can’t step up to the plate and be a better person.

You see, I often think I’m only supposed to act in accordance with my thoughts and feelings.  I believe that’s living honestly.

But when I know I’m supposed to be more loving, perhaps forcing myself into an action (and not following my own selfish ways) is not the worst idea of the day. Perhaps me keeping my mouth shut, stopping my thoughts from thinking the worst, smiling instead of frowning could be one way God helps me build his kind of temperament instead of my own.

Maybe that’s a different kind of honest…honest about the fact that I’m not always right.

I’ve been trying-and failing badly-at trying to change my heart and thoughts. I was waiting for them to lead my actions. Perhaps the other way around also works.

Someone told me yesterday that I don’t have to overthink and understand everything. As long as I dwell in His Word, try my best and keep my ears open, He will do the rest. And I know He is the changer of hearts, thoughts and minds.

So I’m hoping He will change my thoughts when I start surrendering my actions to Him. And then I realise…that’s what He’s done in the past. I remember all those time He has been faithful and loving when I listened to His call or guidance even when I didn’t WANT to…but I knew it was the right thing to do.

Let’s be clear: I DO NOT feel like doing this. But realising that DOING something may break me free from the bad habits I have formed…that’s a good enough reason to try.

So I’m trying this.

May you find unique ways of figuring out your challenges too.