Feed the Fire

In an era where kids in the safest suburbs on the planet are determined to emulate the lives of small-time drug dealers and petty thieves, Tony Lewis, Jr. is shelving the kingpin nature he was born with in an effort to save a city.  His father, Tony, Sr., and Rayful Edmond III were the guys in Washington D.C. that by many accounts are responsible for funneling tons of cocaine into the District during the 1980s.  This brought Junior into the world in the lap of luxury, but it gave his hometown the murderous and cold reputation that has stuck with D.C. ever since then.  Tony, Jr. would soon come to discover the truth behind the perception; as immediately after his father received a life without parole sentence in 1989 he and his mother were thrust into poverty and prey.  However, unlike so many that have experienced this transition, he didn't simply assimilate into his environment.  With assistance and determination, Lewis walked the path of humility and service and now is deeply engaged in community activism.  That's pretty impressive for someone who was submerged into smugglers' culture at birth; and it's another example of a person's beginnings are only as important as that person makes them out to be.

We often hear of and covet strong starts...heavily emphasizing having all of our ducks in a row before venturing out.  And in that there is wisdom.  But how critical is it to put your best foot forward?  What if your best foot is just as bad as your worst?  What if you're not certain what direction you should step?  Does all of this mean a move shouldn't be made?  Should we hold back and wait for the stars to align, open doors, and perfect conditions?  An argument can be made to support a yes here, but then this question arises: how does a person know exactly when the time is absolutely right, especially if this is the first attempt at something?  If situations are frequently different and included a variety of factors, how can one be sure an open door is even the right door?  I would affirm that it can't be done.

Knowledge, wisdom, resources are all great and valuable.  But without passion, none of those traits are maximized.  Passion is the single reason why anything globally significant in history ever happened.  It is how oppression is removed, cures are discovered, and companies are created.  It is how higher education is achieved.  It is how vocational success is achieved without higher education.  It is how faith and belief become active.  It is how we became to be eternally free through Jesus Christ.

Many people recognize issues and ills, but few people address them in any way.  Mostly, it's just fodder for Facebook threads.  But it's the passionate who actually start the non-profits, collect the signatures, and plead the cases that create the opportunities for change.  Even in marriages, when Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to "love your wives as Christ love the Church", I believe the passage is really suggesting that we protect, support, lead, and love our wives with the same passion Christ had towards all mankind.

Does your passion towards success outweigh your current shortcomings and challenges?  Are you toiling with whether or not you're educated enough, skilled enough, blessed enough...and meanwhile that business that someone needs to happen to make their lives more productive sits on your desk?  Or even worse, in your head?  God has already confirmed in you the need and the need for you to address it, but maybe you haven't kindled the passion that will move the needle...possibly because of fear.  However, I encourage you today refuse the hurt from meager beginnings, unfortunate occurrences, and lack; and instead recognize that burning you have to make it happen will largely allow you to...make it happen.

Don't let the fire burn out...

Peace