That quote was taken from the film "Pay it Forward," one of my top 10 favorite movies. I'm not being byist because I'm a big Kevin Spacey fan, but this movie is solid across the board, and I could write a fifty page paper on this movie because it is full of greatness. But I want to focus on the quote above for the moment. Change is not easy for anyone. If it was, then the word wouldn't exist at all. People seem to get set in their ways, and even though I'm only 27, I noticed that I have fallen into a pattern; whether it be the way I choose how to make decisions, the way I treat others, or even how I spend my time after work. I know that we all have that moment where we tell ourselves, "well, this is who I am, this is what I like, and this is how I do things. So why change?" That is a way of just giving up on yourself and not being able to grow. When you don't grow or contribute to those around you, 'everybody kind of loses.'
The way I see it is, everyone that is alive at this point in time, are meant to be here for a reason. I know that there are people my age who say that they wish they were around for the '70s. But maybe the reason God didn't create them until now is because that time period might not have been the best or healthiest for that person and their personality, or their addictions for that matter. I know that I have always thought it would be cool to live through the '50s. Life was much simpler then, but the reality is, I'm here now, and so are all of you reading this. We are all here because we compliment eachother in different ways and can help eachother. That's why the idea of paying it forward is such a great idea.
About a month or so ago, I was struck with the realization that maybe the reason I am were I am in life is because my friends and family might need my undivided attention and help right now. I wouldn't be able to give them advice, or be able to help them if I was the selfish, prideful boy that I was for so long. I have gotten the feeling that the lesson that I am learning right now is how to really be there for someone. To listen, and to understand that what's important is them, and not myself. Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." One of the things I want in life is a family of my own. So how could I truly be there for my wife and family if I don't know to put them first? Learning to become humble and have integrity are the key points here. I have always been there for my family, friends, and I have always been there for my girlfriends, but I don't feel like I understood how to REALLY BE THERE for them at the same time. I didn't grasp the whole concept because my career required all of my attention. When we look to the needs of others it honors Christ.
I won't name any names, but over the past couple months, I have been able to help certain people with some of the struggles they have been faced with. Whether it be dealing with a cheating boyfriend/girlfriend, friends with anxiety, loneliness, financial issues, death of a close friend from suicide, or how to start over again. I have dealt with those issues and have come out on the other side. I am happy that people know that I can be there to help them through it. Because for me, for the most part, I had to conqueror some of those things on my own because none of my friends have ever gone through some of those issues. They were there as a listening ear, but I know the exact emotion that really makes you break down, and that's how I am able to help.
In the song "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles, it says, "Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave. No one was saved." Wiping the dirt from your hands is an illustration that you are going to get rid of something and forget about it. Obviously if the minister at her funeral is that anxious to be rid of her memory then who else is there to care and remember her. This is something is avoidable, and something That I feel like we all lack. For me personally, I'm learning to not "wipe" my hands. But to reach out my hand to be there, and listen. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - Luke 8:8. We aren't meant to go through life alone. And you don't have to be in a relationship to be considered "not alone." Some people who are in relationships/married feel alone.
If God never put me through all the really terrible experiences, I wouldn't be able to help out the others who are going through the same feelings. That is why we are all here on earth at the same time. It's not a coincidence that you meet certain people. Some people teach us patience, others teach us love. Some people teach us how to be humble, and others are there to hold our hand. God made you different so you can complenment eachother, complete eachother and strengthen eachother.
"People with a heart for God have a heart for people."
