Legacy

We often speak of resurrection with such callousness that we forget the significance of its occurrence 2,000 years ago. We also isolate this act to the past, thus preventing the beauty of it to be seen in our daily lives. Every single day, resurrection occurs. Whether it is the new leaves on a tree or the financial rebirth of a man plagued by debtors, resurrection is all around us. Life is so beautiful. As somebody who has personally experienced this form of resurrection on many levels, at many places in my life, I am truly appreciative for the crisp breath of the morning air, new sunsets, and the ever-present beckoning call of a successful life.

Yesterday, I received a text from my older brother, stating he was currently riding on the BART train system in San Francisco. There was nothing significant, nor unique, about his actions. However, he pointed out a critical fact I was not aware of; our grandfather was the head engineer behind the design of the BART’s brake system. Opa may no longer be with us, but I found there to be something strangely significant about the fact that his hard work continues to protect the lives of millions of riders. On one hand, I question the belief that it’s possible to work too hard. On the other, I’m more keenly aware of the great complexity that comprises our lives. The mechanism is truly a gift of G-d.

There’s been a lot on my mind as I’ve spent more time here in Los Angeles. With the recent departure of my older brother, I’m beginning to realize just how large of a city this place is. On the flip side, my life tends to have the innate tendency to improve drastically when I am forcibly placed into situations that demand determination, positivity, and perseverance. Pressure makes the diamond. While I’m keenly aware of this fact, it doesn’t make the pursuit of these situations any more tolerable.

This concept of personal resurrection is one that rings deeply in my soul. Some of the greatest events in history have occurred when men and women were willing to lay down their lives. While I don’t believe we can change the world, I wonder how much of an impact we can make on the lives of those around us – including ourselves – if we are willing to do the uncommon, uncomfortable, and uncertain.

Tozer makes an excellent point about the idea behind fear in his book “Knowledge Of The Holy”, in that fear occurs when our minds identify that we are no longer in the hands or control of somebody/something that has our best interest in mind. And, because we exist in such an imperfect world, it is impossible to defeat fear without knowing we are in the all-protective and loving hands of our Creator. What does it mean to be fearless?

This concept has been on my mind quite a bit, as I’ve often reached situations where my inner mettle has been tested, stretched, and refined through fire. While I’m at a very young age of 23, I’ve had the blessing of experiencing many things many should never have to go through. Am I a better person as a result of it? Absolutely.

Is it possible to be fearless? I believe it is. Fear, like hard muscle, is something that cannot be artificially created without ramifications. If one seeks to conquer their fear, they are taking the wrong approach; one shouldn’t seek to defeat their fear, but to conquer that which is accompanied by fear. It’s a subtle difference that takes the eyes off of that which causes fear and onto the end goal. That may be worth a second read.

All of us have our battles. Whether it is the achievement of success, love, family, or accomplishment, each of us has things we’d like to accomplish. Coming to Los Angeles, I remember the feeling that occurred when I stepped onto that plane; the realization of many months spent planning, pondering, and questioning whether or not I was supposed to move to LA. As the wheels left the runway, I left behind a piece of fear that has been with me my entire life. Perhaps we may one day be unified, though I doubt we would recognize each other.

Take a leap.

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