A NEW START - AN ENTRY FROM MY HEART
BY WALLACE CALEB BATES
As I sit here drinking my coffee this Saturday afternoon, looking out the window at the snow-blanketed ground and my dog frolicking through the yard (I love the word frolicking!), I am reminded of how the world outside our homes can fill with joy and pain, happiness and sadness, and other contrasting emotions.
At the start of this new year, I set a few small goals that were aligned with James Clear's framework in Atomic Habits: incremental, small changes that will lead toward steady progress. Among these goals are making my bed each day, listening to or reading scripture each day, and journaling each day.
This blog site is part of the last effort mentioned above. I plan to use it as a public-facing journal in which I share my thoughts regarding topics of varying natures. Some of them will discuss my faith, my profession as a higher education public relations professional, my academic pursuits as a scholar, and my perspective as an Appalachian living in southeastern Kentucky.
Right now, the new start of 2025 pails in comparison to the new start for many of our neighbors in California, specifically the areas surrounding Los Angeles County. My heart hurts for the people whose lives are forever changed, displaced from their homes, lacking the basic necessities that we so often take for granted in our comfortable lives.
When the weather first turned terrible last week, I shared a thought on my social media accounts amid the blackout in my home region caused by icy powerlines and downed trees. When the power is out, the darkness reminds us of the blessings we experience so often. I cited our homes, our warmth, our blankets, our cozy socks, our books to read.
Much like as I navigated my home that morning, we are navigating dark times right now across the world. Regardless of any factor, people across lines of difference are experiencing economic uncertainty, the tragedy of war, the pain of loss, the weight of oppressive forces, and the disconnection caused by political rhetoric.
In recent years, I have embarked on a faith journey that has brought me closer to Christ Jesus than ever before. I was first baptized as a preteen, stepped away from the faith, practiced hopeful agnosticism, and experienced Christ's calling last year, welcoming me into a relationship with Him so that I might help the world through a life of love.
My faith calls me to care for people, point-blank, period. Micah 6 reminds us of the necessity of seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Matthew 25 reminds us to care for the least of these, such as the hungry, the imprisoned, the unclothed, and the unhoused. I cannot help but feel such a heavy burden for those among us who are experiencing the most difficult days of their lives before our eyes.
Perhaps much of that burden comes from my desire to see others experience the comfort, solace, and strength of a relationship with God. I also suspect that some of the burden comes from the messages I see faith leaders sharing via social media. I do not want to be guilty of judging them. In fact, I empathetically understand that they perceive California to be a place of sin. Hollywood is a place where many of the seven deadly sins run rampant: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth.
However, it is vital that we, as Christians, focus less on judging others and more on caring for them. Our faith is not one of fear; it is one of love. As Paul expressed in 2 Timothy 1, "Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."
We should not conform to the ways of the world. Regardless of theological approaches to our faith tradition, we know that the world in which we live does not innately reflect Christ. Yet, we must act as lights unto people's paths, recognizing that our oil-powered fires can illuminate others' paths but cannot light their fires. In other words, we are responsible for our own relationship with Christ, not that of others.
When nonbelievers see us perpetuating a gospel of fear, they are less likely to ever pursue God. I hear that consistently from young people my age. It is not the trinity but the messages they hear about our faith. This reality is among the reasons why so many are leaving our faith, turning their backs on churches that do not align fully with Christ's spirit.
As we seek Christ, our spirit of fear lessens to reflect His power, His love, and His sound judgment. These spiritual attributes come from Him, not from our innate human existence. His love is one of unrelenting mercy. His power cannot be questioned. His sound judgment allows us to share the truth in love.
I am far from perfect. I am justified through my salvation in Christ, but my sanctification is a never-ending process. I make mistakes each day. I say things I should not. Unfortunately, I feel compelled to express this as a disclaimer in my journal entry because some people who read this may disregard my thoughts because of my sinful past. I am aware of my flaws. I admit them. I seek help with my personal challenges.
With that, I encourage you to live a life of compassion, spreading the gospel by helping those in need and lighting their paths so that they might fill their lamps with oil. I encourage you to think about situations from a myriad of perspectives. Our world is a vast place, and the shelter of our own vanish points might cloud our sense of sound judgment.
As we look to the disasters unfolding before our eyes, let empathy fill our hearts. Let us yearn for a resolution, allowing that to inform our desire to help those who are hurting. Our faith reminds us in James 2 that we are justified by our faith and our works, not our faith nor our works alone. In Romans 8, our faith reminds us that we have hope in Christ. In Revelation 21 — a chapter within the book many use to condemn the world — we find comfort in the fact that God will wipe away every tear.
As I mentioned previously, James Clear's Atomic Habits encourages steady transformation. Our world's issues are not fixable in one day, despite how much I yearn for their end. However, starting small, like by being a light unto someone today, whether through a kind word, a listening ear, or a tangible act of service, will allow us to honor God and help bring His kingdom closer to earth.
Well, and, as you experience the world around you, do not lose your faith or your hope. In Jeremiah 29, Christ assures us that He has plans for our lives that include a future without harm. In Romans 15, our faith assures us that He fills our spirits with joy and peace. In Philippians 4, our faith reminds us that His peace guards our hearts and our minds.
My love and prayers are with you.
"Lord, may we be Your hands and feet in a hurting world. Give our people the comfort and strength they need to bear the days ahead. Help us to live boldly in Your love, to care for the least among us, and to illuminate paths for others so they might find You. Amen."