Most of us go through our
lives desiring to do the right things by: taking care of our responsibilities; accomplishing
goals we set for ourselves or those set for us by others; caring for our
families; contributing to our communities; doing well at our jobs and so on.
Yet, although we desire to do these things, (with or without success), often our exterior may look fairly well, while
in truth, our personal journey can often feel very much like hauling around a
bag of rocks that rests heavily upon our backs. Inside of this bag, each rock
represents various pains such as guilt, shame, remorse, regrets, worry, anger,
fear, pride, secret hurts, broken relationships, shattered dreams and so much
more – ALL heavy and burdensome. Indeed this bag has weighed upon our hearts,
our minds and our very souls…drastically hindering any lasting or internal
progress. These rocks created a constant feeling of being pulled down and at
times, of drowning in a relentless sea of hopelessness, creating an often
debilitating fear of being overcome by the weight of it all, as if even one
more thing would surly crush our very existence.The solutions that we come up
with on our own, are often derived from a sickened state of delusional thinking
to have just one more drink…one more drug…one more game to gamble on…one more
binge and purge…one more purchase that we can’t afford…one more reckless
relationship…one more hour blocking life out by immersing ourselves on the
internet, watching TV or playing video games - rather than using that precious
time talking to and enjoying our children, spouse, friends and living life… the list can go on. Each
time believing that THIS TIME our solution would make our bag of rocks
become a little lighter or perhaps even go away all together. Ultimately
though, the truth found was that with each drink, each drug, each gamble, each
bite, each purchase, each escape, etc…we added another rock to our personal bag
of burdens and continued to spiral downward.
Today however, there is good
news in that, there lies before each man and woman - a choice to live a NEW LIFE! One in which the bag of rocks
can be forever left behind, because we are no longer alone in this journey.
Around all of us, (no matter where we
live), there are communities of all kinds, filled with people who desire to
travel this journey of life “together” rather than alone. By connecting with
other people we find that the load is made easier when shared with another. Not
only this, but there is a God who is more
than willing to remove that bag of burdens from our backs and replace it
with a single rock, for us to instead place as our life’s cornerstone.
Do you know what a
cornerstone is or its significance?
The cornerstone is also known
as the “foundation stone”. It is the first stone that is placed in the
construction of a masonry foundation. It’s important because all of the other
stones will be set in place from it and ultimately establish the position of
the entire structure that is being built. You will often find that the
cornerstone of certain buildings will have some sort of engraving upon them
which signify its importance and stand as a point of remembrance.The beauty of this life is
that as long as we are breathing air, we always
have the right, the ability and the means by which to change…all that is needed
to put it in motion is our willingness
to stop trying to run the show by ourselves and do something different. TODAY can be that day…the day to lay
down that bag of rocks you’ve been hauling around and replace it with a single
rock – that will represent the cornerstone upon which you desire to construct
this new life. Your cornerstone may be God, your child, your spouse, Hope,
Freedom, Family, Love or anything else…it is for YOU to decide. I will
suggest that you obtain a smooth stone, and write upon it what you’ve chosen -
to motivate you, strengthen you and remind you daily why and upon what, you are
building your new life. Then place it somewhere significant and visible to you
daily, as a symbolic cornerstone, a point of remembrance to serve as a
motivation to continue this new course and
to commemorate this new and wonderful journey you have begun.
©2014-2022 Rebecca Balko
No comments:
Post a Comment