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Other essays on this theme
Essay: "Sources of Strength"by J.S. Karch Generally the themes provide a sort of bridge by which we can cross certain chasms and enter into a discussion or opinion that has lurked under the surface of our minds for quite some time. Seeing how this is a common phenomenon I had fully intended to throw my theme bridge down here and go to work in addressing what was on my mind. I began to formulate an approach when something altogether different occurred....
I have often heard that some profound inspiration tends to come during those peculiar times when one does not expect it; today it came as I was pacing the floor of my cell. As it came, and as I attempt to articulate it here on this paper, I can at this point profess only inspiration; it actually being in any way profound I make no claim towards. The plurality of the theme, I have realized, proved to be that thing that was particularly confusing to me. Webster simply defines strength as "power". In looking for a way to use this bridge to enter into the subject I had hoped to address it struck me that ultimately - the question resounding with that authority - "Ultimately", can there be a plurality of power or strength "sources"? If so, what source do we use to determine the best source suited for us personally? And how do we know that there is not some source that, when sought out, would make us strong enough to reconstruct reality itself? So, "sources" (plural) is sorta like looking at a Where's Waldo" picture without having any real idea of who, what, or how many Waldo's there may be. It becomes relative to where we lay claim to a perceived source of strength that on a subjective level may seem sufficient for ones needs but ultimately is a farce Â-- a life boat lost in an infinite sea with a slow leak; to be blunt, it is a lie. As powerless - or strengthless people, regardless of how strong we fell at times or how powerful others may often appear, ultimately there is only one source of strength. Only one sustaining power by which all things exist, and apart from which nothing was created. Even as powerless people we have a unique tendency to be excellent pretenders by pretending that we draw strength from any number of sources while exercising all our petty attempts to suppress the dynamic truth that has made tiny people tower like mountains and weak people powerful enough to withstand the persecution of the greatest of empires. That key to the one source of strength told to us in plain terms by the Source Himself - it was Jesus Christ who said, "For without Me you can do nothing." |