The Will

“When one is confronted with seemingly insurmountable odds,
he must and will consolidate all of his internal energies
in order to effectively combat his adversities.
The consolidation of man’s internal energies in times of
adverse circumstances is called the WILL.
The WILL is not a hereditary asset, but an acquired asset.
Since man’s WILL is being continually tried,
there must be a yardstick whereby the effectiveness of his WILL
when confronted by adversities in his environment, may be measured.
Man is shaped and shapes his environment.
When man reaches that coveted stage of abilities
where he shapes his environment rather than becomes victimized by it,
his WILL is indefatigable or dominant.
This is what men strive for – TO HAVE THE WILL TO HAVE WILL!!” ~  Kenneth L. Owens, Sr.

Why Me?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (RSV)

WHY ME? is a question I’m sure Job (a perfect man) asked as he was losing everything.  Surely, the Apostle Paul asked it many times during his perilous missionary journeys. No doubt, even Christ’s own Disciples asked it as they took up their own crosses and followed the Savior.  And, I am certain it is the question that each of us whether rich, poor, Christian, or not, asks ourselves when we experience sickness, suffering, or loss.  I have asked it many times, but strangely, never while being Blessed.  Nor, have I asked it while happy, healthy, and whole. Not once did I question my privilege, but I always questioned my pain.

Why does it take sickness, disaster, and tragedy, before we look beyond our own concerns and truly see the suffering of others? And why is it when we witness or even hear about others’ needs, we automatically want to do something.  Without a second thought, we want to give something.  We want to lend a hand, many times, to the very person(s) we would ordinarily pass on the street without even a smile. How strange human nature is.  It needs the “ugliness”of  life in order to see the “beauty” in life.  And before we decide to help we must see hurt. Why does it always take the suffering of others to see how Blessed we are?   Is it because when we look on it we suddenly realize: it could have been  . . .  it should have been . . . and, but for the grace of God, it would have been you or me?

In the midst of all I have witnessed and in taking a personal inventory, I admit to many times feeling sorry for myself and asking why me, only to be reminded that “I am not my own — I was bought with a price.”  I am God’s creation, made for His glory.  It has never been about me —  it was always about GOD.  In my moments of reflection, I understand how truly Blessed I am just to be alive.  And, with gratitude, I smile and humbly submit that I belong to the one who KNOWS ALL things and CONTROLS ALL things, and gives me the courage through every challenge to sincerely ask myself the real question — WHY NOT ME?”