Crazy?

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes…the ones who see things differently—they’re not fond of rules…You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things…they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”            Steve Jobs~Apple Computers

Have you ever read something and immediately claimed it as being “yours”? I don’t mean in the sense of claiming to have written it, but more along the lines of identifying with it, as though it had been written for you?

When our friend Britta e-mailed this quote to me I thought “He’s talking about me….this guy, this Steve Jobs, he just described me!” You see, I am crazy enough to think I can change the world; better yet, I believe that I can change the world, even if it’s one person at a time.

Look, there are some people that, while not really believing that I’m crazy, want to steer clear of me. I mean, who can blame them? Here’s this guy (me) who discovers the joy of walking with God at 53 and wants to talk about it, advertises his faith in and through his business, putting people ahead of money while doing so, reads the bible daily while walking outside the box of conventional “religion”, openly and brazenly gives “witness” to the goodness of God, and launches a website as a means of sharing his blessings with people around the world….all the while maintaining that he’s just a regular guy with a message! What’s crazy about that? J

Before you come to the conclusion that I really am crazy (you may have already done so), let me try to explain something to you. Unlike Enrico Fermi (he developed the atomic bomb), Henry Ford (he changed the face of American Industry), and Bill Gates (you know, the computer guy), I don’t really believe that I have a contribution to make that will change the world. I guess that my ambition, my mission, my ministry, is to change the way that some people look at themselves, those around them, and the world in which they live.

During my daily meditation and prayers I always ask God to put four or five people in my path that I can inspire, lift up, or help in any way. If nothing else, I’ll settle for simply putting a smile on their faces. Living out each day with my petition in the back of my mind, I look for opportunities to do exactly that. And you know what? He delivers!

What makes me think that I’m qualified to inspire others, to change their outlook on life? Let’s just say that it has to do with this certain light……

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”                                       Matthew 5:14-16

There are times, when I’m speaking to someone, that I sense Christ’s light shining through me. I believe it shines brightest when I’m sharing the good news of God and what He has done for me, but it also shines when I’m just talking about life in general. The light is always there; He puts it in my eyes for all to see, if they choose to look. Sadly, some don’t look, for a variety of reasons…..some don’t know that the light exists, some feel intimidated by it, and some are envious of the light, thinking that they can’t have it. Conversely, during the course of a conversation, if I am fortunate enough to encounter an individual with the light in their eyes, it makes for an unbelievably uplifting exchange!

I’m going to let you in on a secret: We all have that light within us. You have it in you. At this very moment, God’s light is in you; it always has been!

For those of you doubting that this light is in you (actually it is God’s presence), take the time for prayer, reflection, and looking within to find Him. If you have trouble finding Him, seek the help of a person “of the cloth”, family member, or friend. If there is no one in your life that you feel comfortable confiding in, I would humbly offer my assistance to you in your search for Him.

Now, for those of you that are aware of God’s light in you, I offer the following questions: What are you doing with that light? In the words of Christ, are you “putting it under a bowl”? Are you embarrassed to share it with others? Do you fear that your light is not bright enough to share? That you’re not worthy to share it? That you’re not good enough? Do you think that your light won’t make a difference?

“You are the light of the world……let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

God wants us to share our light with those around us. He has given you a light that is unlike any others; it is as distinct and unique as your fingerprint! He gave you it to that you might go out and cast your light where there is darkness. This light is a gift; treasure it, nurture it, and share it with those in need of its warmth.  

I challenge you to go out and share your light with others, and in doing so planting the seed of hope that a better life is to be lived by walking with God every day. Together, we may just go out and change the world.

Contact me: sam@theseedofhope.com