Life...It All Depends...

With all that goes wrong in this world, sometimes there are times and events and things that happen that give one a renewed sense of hope.  I have to believe that God in His mercy provides, at times, glimpses of the good, the honorable, the decent, and the right for us so we will indeed not become “weary in well-doing.”

We talk a lot, and I am guilty as well, of those things in life and this world that are not good, not honorable, not decent, and not right.  And we need to not only talk about those things, but work under the strength and provision of God to make changes when and where we can.  We won’t make this world a paradise…it just won’t happen.  But we can make it a better place to live, and we can give others a glimpse of the beauty and glory that is God’s.

I’ve just spent several minutes watching some videos on YouTube.  Yes, I know, there are all kinds of nutty, and even bad things on there.  But there are also some really, really good things too.  I watched the 1,000 voice Kentucky All State Choir sing the National Anthem in the 18 story high atrium of the Louisville Hyatt at 11:00pm, as they do every night they are there.  Hauntingly beautiful, heartfelt, and soulful it is.  Check out the 2013 version here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAEmpdSHC10

And regardless of what you might think of Wynona Judd or Bette Midler, you have to agree that The Rose, and this rendition of it, is one of the most powerful you’ve ever seen.  The words to that song should be, I think, memorized and sung by EVERYONE at least daily.  You can find that performance here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5q0KmjU0Qk

Then there are the various videos that record performances by such as Peter, Paul, and Mary, the Carpenters, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and others, depending on your age and your preferences.  Many of these performances are top-notch and bring back fond memories and a sense of well-being that is sometimes difficult to capture in life.

Whether these performers know it or not, they are displaying the creative glory that is God’s, and they are performing a real service to those of us who need to be lifted up from time to time.

Additionally, and separate from any YouTube stuff, we have the unique opportunity to surround ourselves with those friends and acquaintances who exemplify the best of humanity.  These people unselfishly serve, give, mentor, coach, discipline, train, protect, and a host of other things in their daily lives.  And they encourage others to do so as well.  I am blessed to be able to count as friends several of these folks who, daily, get up and get going in their day to make life a little better for someone else they probably don’t know.

Life is sometimes a grind.  Life is sometimes unfair.  Life is sometimes unkind.  Life is sometimes just the pits.  But I think life can be, and truly is, what we make it.  We can choose to see the dirt and the filth, or we can choose the beauty and the good.  Whatever we choose, it WILL affect our world view and how we see and react to life and living.

It all depends on what you want.