I used to be someone until I was someone’s incarcerated loved one. “Someone” this world thought more of, that is. In an instant, it seemed everything changed. I wondered, “Lord, is it because I couldn’t change myself?” The Bible instructs us to die to this world. I still have work to do, but if there’s one thing the drama in my life has taught me – it is how to die.

Lord, may I learn to do it without always giving a middle finger to the rest of the world.

I march to the beat of a different drum, for I’m never completely in step with those around me. Life is a thumping cadence of angels and demons, as I rip through the center of two mysterious forces on a daily basis. It is “good” on one side, “bad” on the other. Sometimes, I waltz back and forth. Many times, I embrace both sides at once. This has been my rhythm … my burden.

And we all have our crosses to bear, don’t we? We have our “sentence” to pull.

I watch as most of us do our time differently. But is our time completely different in how it should be spent? I don’t think so. I’ve never liked using the phrase, “We’re all in the same boat together” but whether we’re traveling on a cruise liner or a dinghy, we do have the same destination in mind, right? I don’t always care as much as I should but I do want everyone to make it Home, because He does.

He is why I care.

We’re on our own unique journey, but as Christians, we have the same purpose in spite of our hardships, troubles, and differences. Right now my boat is small. There’s not much room for passengers unwilling to plug holes or row against the tide. But God wants everyone to be saved, doesn’t He? It’s not always desirable allowing others onto our boat, but we can, because He does.

Jesus saved me … more than once.

For various reasons, some of us have made more than our share of bad decisions in life. So what? In the end, does it matter? I say no. Falling only matters if you don’t get back up. We stand, because He does.

Think about that with your troubled loved ones, and your own troubled lives.

Something else to think about – we don’t need the people of this world to care, or to cheer us on, because He does. He is a pulling force that Physics will never explain. The pull from darkness into light – where the beat of our heart is the song of God’s voice. It’s the beat I pray to follow.

Being honest with where we are is okay.

There are days I slip back into darkness. I stay awhile with my anger and contempt – for certain people, for twisted justice, and for lot’s of things. It happens more often than I like to admit. The “lyrics” and “notes” written and sung by the people of this world are often out of tune with what I know is right. Yet, I choose to dance. And I despise how I love it so much.

Lord, may I stop loving it.

No matter what, though, I have a way of embracing and accepting other people, because He does. I am able to forgive, because He does. And I am told I can do all things (Philippians 4:13), because He does. Oh, how I continuously need to hear God’s resounding voice sing, “Get up!” And, “Press On…”

We are made to be finishers … every last one of us.

Through hardships, and in the midst of every storm, it is most clear who the leader of my life is. And with that knowledge, I’d have no one to blame but myself for not being able to get up, hold my head up, and move forward, would I?

No finger pointing.

It would not be society, nor the government, nor the legal system’s fault. None of them are designed, or equipped to help me, your loved one’s, or you, feel better about the circumstances we are faced with in life. I am an obstinate believer in something I hope to God many, many people will be able to apply to their lives. It is this:

No person on earth has to recognize, validate, or accept our value … Because He does.

Jesus made us. He sees us. He defines us.

We are to follow Him, not people. Being accepted by this world is meaningless. Finishing our journey and making it to our eternal destination means everything. Every day is a struggle. When your loved ones are released, it won’t be easy for them. But He goes before us. It’s easier said than done, but we don’t have to fight … because He does.

No person’s “opinion” is edifying. Ignore it.

I watch other people – a lot. Some are dark, some are light, but all human nature appears fundamentally the same. Admittedly, I don’t like many people. I don’t completely trust, or care for most of them. And, I often hear words of judgement and loathing in my head. Yes, I’m as guilty as anyone. These opinions never convince my heart, however. The music will not be silenced. Always on time, it comes up from my core and carries me back to the Creator.

I have to care, because He does.