A Challenge

I nearly titled this post "the challenge," but considering how numerous challenges are posed claiming to be "the" challenge, I refrained from adding to the clamor.

During the first post, the observation was made that difficulties and troubles present themselves in many mediums, and some are absolutely more terrible than others--Haiti being the prime example of late. In a Bible class last Wednesday night, a tangent arose, addressing the topic of hardship, and as such, Haiti came up. Two more persons had been recently rescued as of that time, this after 14 days being trapped in rubble. Fourteen days amidst dust, heat, crumbled sections of what was a house or other structure. The average American mind has issues wrapping itself around that experience. The thought of two weeks of trapped, minute-to-minute existence is in a frame of reference residing in a gallery across the sea. "How could a person survive that?" is the obvious question from our centrally cooled-and-heated, internet-and-cable equipped apartments (not to mention the "expected" necessities of electricity and cold and hot running water). To the Haitian that was rescued, the experience was indubitably terrifying and excruciatingly exhausting, but nonetheless, it was less so for him than it would have been for any of us. This is not to diminish his trial, but to illustrate that there is a continuum of terrible experiences, and there is a sense of relativity to it, depending on where one starts along the grade.

All that to say, a challenge for us, in our predominately cushy culture, is to constantly increase awareness for all the blessings we are provided with, and to really examine what it is about which we are on the verge of complaining or affecting a martyr-like tone as someone asks us how our day is going.

I am guilty of this, remarking that, "Oh, I'm hanging in there" or something equally survivor-esque. What exactly am I "hanging in there" with? Working in an air-conditioned office for eight or nine hours a day, and commuting an hour each way? Sounds pretty atrocious, no? Oh, it doesn't? Exactly.

So in addition to being a light, I want to increase my perspective, my understanding of how blessed I really am, so I can be truly grateful and in turn, share what I have and bless others.

An Insight

Light murklins.

For much of the time, "making it" through the day or the week--or perhaps just the meeting or the errand--consumes the focus. Concentrate on "getting through," or even "just getting by." Delving further, however, through what exactly is status quo being maintained? Challenges? Tough times? Relational issues? How are such problems defined?

Two weeks ago, I strolled into a major commercial building, grateful to get out of the disagreeably cold and windy street. I was there for job training, in preparation for the challenges of working as a professional. As I waited with a group of trainees for the elevator, a television in the area was proclaiming what was likely "the worst natural disaster in the world."

Tens of hundreds of thousands were affected in Haiti, in the brief instant of an earthquake's devastation. The people that were left, dazed and shell-shocked, had an enormous challenge to face--with nowhere to begin. News has been broadcast around the clock of the supplies and manpower being pushed to the stricken Caribbean country, and its seemingly futile effects on destruction so epic.

As the technologically advanced, materially blessed nations around the world are struggling to channel resources into the tiny country, the Haitians, with their scarce supplies and depleted population are helping each other, sharing what they have, working to support those around them. To give up would be easy. The daunting task at hand is unimaginable from countless comfortable homes across this nation.

It is going to continue to be a struggle for Haiti to recuperate from the earthquake of January 12, 2010. However, in dark moments, light can glimmer, spread, and grow unlike at any other time. During the day, with the sun shining, or with lights on around the house or apartment or office, a little light is hardly to be missed. but cut the lights and a little light is appreciated, there is a draw to it.

Whether the challenge is rebuilding a city, a nation, or a life from scattered piles of what used to be, or "surviving" school or work, inside of it the outlook tends to be dark and bleak.

Light murklins. That is where this comes full circle. "Murklins" is a little-used adjective meaning "in the dark." A "light in the dark" is what i want to be. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world," and "let your light shine before men."

The world is dark and needs a light. I am a light. Light murklins.