"Each person must live their life as a model for others." - Rosa Parks

Each one of us has something to learn. Every single one of us has something to teach. We learn from our personal experiences. We benefit even more from the knowledge others hold and the lessons we observe.

The word disciple means student. We are all invited to be students of life. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, we seek more and more each day to more fully embrace the way. We do that in no small part by learning from each other’s example.

Hopefully one day we can all be as confident as the Apostle Paul was when he invited the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1). That’s a pretty high standard. We can all stretch towards it.

Even if that seems out of reach for us at the moment, we all have a little light to shine. Jesus in Matthew invites us to “let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16)

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Each of us is responsible for determining our desired destination in life and for choosing the roads we travel in our efforts to reach that place.

Along the way we have to ask ourselves two questions. First, ‘Is our desired destination really where we really want to end up?’ If it is, then we have to ask, ‘if we are on the right road to get there?’

Luke 15 tells the story of a young man who, “ got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” And when the money was gone he found himself desperate, hungry and alone.

The destination he thought he wanted, he discovered wasn’t where he wanted to be. He chose a new destination, and traveled a different road. In his case, he went back home.

Home might not be an option for all of us. But there is a better place for all of us. We must choose the right pathways to get there.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of hope. Peace be with you.

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"Rebels don't produce change, because they are fanning their own anger. You have to learn to save your outrage and focus." Shami Chakrabati

Anger and outrage may be our initial impetus for seeking change be it personal or social. While anger can energize, too often it is blind and misdirected. Too often it becomes its own end. Ultimately, anger becomes self consuming and is rarely sustainable.

As the writer of the James says, “for human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20) Instead, we must center ourselves in empathy and understanding. When we see the wrongs of the world we must allow compassion to drive our response.

Empathy and understanding allow us to focus on the root causes. They allow us to analyze the systems and structures. We are better able to focus both short and long term solutions. We are are better able to focus on building bridges and forming alliances.

Our anger can be very self indulgent. Releasing it allows us to focus, focus, focus.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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