Finding life
“WOULD I still have a life?”
That was the question thrown at me by a young lawyer running for a congressional seat during a Holy Week conversation.
He is young and brilliant and appears to have accomplished despite being young. Yet, his question seems to indicate that he felt he would miss on a lot of things people his age do by way of fun.
He had asked me what I do every day as head of a local government unit. The question led me to an enumeration of my daily tasks of conducting meetings, listening to people, inspecting projects, attending events, and other chores required by the job.
The young candidate then asked me if I had time for what he termed as hobbies and fun. I confessed that the delicate act of balancing the role of an elected public servant and of a father barely left me with time for that thing he called “fun.”
I merely answered with a smile. I knew what he meant and where he was coming from. As teen-agers, we gave “having a life” an almost precise definition. It meant doing the “fun” things that the recklessness of our youth goaded us and allowed us to do.
Then, I gave him an assurance. I said: “Don’t worry, let me assure you I have a life and I am using my energies well.”
“In fact, I don’t just ‘have a life’,” I continued. “I have Life,” I added.
The young lawyer nodded. He got what I meant.
I recalled to myself that once upon a time, I was a young man myself. I was bursting with energy. The tremendous energy expressed itself in what is called “restlessness.” I was restless because I did not know where to channel that vast reservoir of motive force.
Energy in its natural state tends to be chaotic. It can consume you. That is why at the time when we recklessly spent our youthful energies, we experienced many episodes described as the emotional and physical “crush”.
That chaotic energy was also what led many among the young to experiment with the taboo and the forbidden.
As we matured, we discovered that the reservoir of energy has not dissipated
at all.
We learned two things: First, to look for new sources of energy which we can tap to replenish our supply; second, to look for more productive ways to channel them.
I personally discovered one powerful source of energy – Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through prayer, meditation, the study of the Word of God, and fellowship with believers, I learned I can be “connected” to His Spirit and be refreshed.
I also discovered a deeper meaning of “grace.” It is that strength that comes from a meaningful relationship with God that enables a person to channel that vast reservoir of energy to the things that matter, that count in life.
“Grace” is what allows me to “discipline” the energy and to put its chaotic state into good order.
In concrete terms, it means experiencing the channeling of my energies to serving others – family, community, church.
It means experiencing the whole gamut of human emotions – sadness and joy; anger and forgiving; anxiety and certainty, doubt and trust – while keeping one’s eyes on a single goal.
It means being one with the rest of creation without being swallowed up by the demands of others.
It means finding much joy in the simple things and welling up with a sense of gratitude for the beauty of God’s creation.
Having life means being truly and fully alive.
It means experiencing the real meaning of Christ’s Resurrection in one’s own life.
Today, I include all our readers in my prayer that we may all emerge from the tomb of our personal anger and bitterness, and into the daylight of hope and freedom from the chains of our painful past.
The Lord is Risen!
Let us rise with him.
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