In 2005 I hosted a twice weekly, three-hour, radio magazine programme for a local radio station called “Enjoy Everyday Life”. It was an “alternative” programme – it included uplifting, inspirational music of many genres, it had guest studio discussions where I talked with people who were really making a difference in people’s lives, “ordinary” people whose voices seldom got heard. The focus was on inspiring listeners to live a peace-filled, joyous, prosperous and healthy life, a life of meaning and purpose, where they too could contribute to the greater good.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, these programmes were highly popular with most of the listening audience, the feedback was refreshing and encouraging to me. However, the kill-joys in the establishment, from management to some fellow broadcasters, did not like the light that was now shining and did so much to make it uncomfortable for me to continue so after a year I decided the greater plan needed me elsewhere and resigned.
The title of that programme was inspired by a lady I have come to admire very much and she is tele-evangelist Joyce Meyer. (Now just notice if you have a bad reaction to the term tele-evangelist.) Catch her on TV – for her schedule go to www.joycemeyer.org.
"Joyce Meyer Ministries has a God-ordained mandate to impact the world. We are called to present the Gospel to the lost, disciple nations, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, minister to the elderly, widows and orphans, visit prisoners and reach out to people of all ages and in all walks of life. God requires that we teach people how to apply biblical truth in every facet of their lives, and encourage Christians to influence every aspect of the world around them."
And I have watched over the years as I have seen how much her ministry has done for millions of people around the world. It is awesome and she does it with the help of many partners around the globe.
Now I don’t think it matters whether we are Christians or not, Joyce’s message applies to everyone.
We are all here to enjoy life – yet so many I meet, despite years of therapy, petition, self-help CD and tapes, are still not enjoying life. Are you? Really?
And many are also living a life which is all about “what about me?” so focussed on their problems tha they create more of the same, albeit in a different guise, when really, they would feel more fulfilled if they would learn to give rather than asking a daily Santa Claus for a list of solutions to their problems.
I suffered with depression for many years, and every now and again, the “black dog”, as Winston Churchill called it, comes back to visit. But I have a choice – to cave in to the blackness or decide that I will win through and that my light will shine. It’s been difficult, but given my belief and faith now, I feel that there is now only one decision to make; to live life to its and my fullest!
(If you would like a detailed article on depression and how to manage it, please e-mail me on info@andrewhunter.eu
In 2007 I am going to offer a range of articles and workshops, practically based, that will teach you simple ways in which you can come out of the darkness, into the light, and live a life that you can truly be proud of and enjoy and in so doing, can then really begin to help others.
Sometimes we say “oh I can’t be bothered” or “Oh I am too busy.” But these are just thoughts and thoughts can be changed. One of the keys is to THINK DIFFERENTLY. When life isn’t working out as you would like or is throwing you lots of bad lemons, stop and ask yourself, what am I thinking that is fuelling this. Really examine the thoughts and ask yourself, “If I continue to think like this, what outcomes am I likely to create?” And if these are not beneficial to you and your life’s plan, then CHANGE THE THOUGHTS.
All of us have to commit each day to "common life and everyday business." I'm sure you know what I mean, things like, taking the kids to school, washing and cleaning, clients to see, elderly relatives to nurse, supermarket sweep, work to go to, on and on etc. But we tend to divide those tasks from and even far below our "Spiritual Life," or the things we know we need or like to do to lead a more spiritual life. I meet so many who really split their lives, between all the doing stuff and then those few, grasped moments when they can be still and listen to the voice of the Divine. These are the times when we pray, read inspirational or spiritual texts, meditate, or meet with kindred spirits to engage in a different meaningful conversation, and maybe even go to church. I have come to believe that separating these two facets of our life is unhealthy and unhelpful.
This separation keeps most people in a state of turmoil; dreading, and even despising the tasks of common life and everyday business. It affects our immune system and subsequently our physical, emotional and mental health and well-being. All of us have daily tasks and chores; it is part of life. They cannot be avoided. But we need to work to understanding that there is no difference between common and every day and holy and spiritual. The division, the separation is purely in our own minds.
So rather than seeing yourself as a physical being who rushes and strives to get a few daily moments of spiritual encounter, why not see yourself as a spiritual being who daily has many physical tasks to do? Integrate the two. Let them be One and the same.
People often tell me that they only turn to God when they have exhausted every other path to trying to find a way out of their darkness, their difficulties. This is modelled in the health world when people go to doctor after doctor and only in the final analysis, often when things are almost too late, do they turn to more spiritual and complimentary ways. But why not go to God first, (or whatever you may call that greater power) and start out with the more spiritual and complimentary approaches?
I think we could be not be so religious in our thinking yet turn to religious and spiritual texts, find comfort and inspiration, and then move into an area of freedom that will shake off the shackles of darkness.
Joyce Meyer teaches that, “Everything we do is to be offered to the Lord; and if done so with a pure heart of love, it becomes holy. You can do common tasks, like go to the grocery store, and it will be just as holy as prayer, as long as you do all to the glory and honour of God (first). In the realm of importance, prayer is certainly more important than a trip to the grocery store, but not any holier. What I mean by prayer being more important is that it has eternal value, whereas a trip to the store or mopping the floor doesn't.
Romans 14 is an excellent chapter in the Bible to bring liberty in this area. Verses 5 & 6 (paraphrased) says: One man esteems one day as better than another (holier), while another man esteems all days alike (holy). One man sees prayer and Bible study as better (holier) than ordinary tasks. While a person that is really free in the Lord sees them all alike (all holy), because whatever he does, he does it in honour of the Lord.”
But again I repeat, you do not have you be a Christian to enact this. I believe ALL of us need to avoid this separation between the secular and the holy, between the “everyday tasks” and our more “spiritual” moments and practices.
This is our route to true freedom—to be able to live an undivided life where we categorise some things as common and some as spiritual or holy.
Wherever you go and whatever you do let it be a holy, spiritual experience, an encounter with the Divine and always for the greater good.
May 2007 be the year you truly decide to enjoy your life.
