I don’t believe in lost causes.
There was a time in my life when I was the definition of apathetic. I know this may come as a surprise to those you have met me after that, or known me before, but it really happened. Brené Brown once said “We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” I can testify the truth in that statement, because I was once in the depths of darkness and sin. And I did not see a way out. I hid the crying and agony from everyone, but they could easily see the way I snapped at the slightest comment, and how I no longer looked them in the eyes with empathy but rather seemed to look through them. I wanted to care the way I once did, but I couldn’t figure out how to see them, without having to really see myself. Not many people got the late calls from me in an undecipherable sobbing mess, trying to explain how I didn’t know what to do. I believed I was unworthy, a disappointment, and incapable of being loved. I could hear thoughts to pray or to go back to church, but those thoughts were always soon drowned out by thoughts of how messed up I was and how it wouldn’t make a difference.
You see, by most peoples definition of a lost cause; I was the epitome.
However, Jesus knew I was not a lost cause. He knew the fight was not over; after all, He had already won.
It reminds me of the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:1-7)
He fought; and He fought hard. I fought with Him. The enemy fought with Him. It was a painful process and very few could tell you to some of the darkness I found myself in. Yet, after everything I had done, everything I became, He still chose me. He still chooses me!
I think one of the most significant things I have to offer to people in the communities I’ll be encountering, is letting them know that neither I, nor He, believe in lost causes. We don’t give up.
I have started countless Pinterest projects and lost interested after 30 (maybe more like 20) minutes. I painted my room once to look really cool! And only did half of it. Seriously, I lived like that for about two years. Something I would like to improve on is finishing something that I start. Something that I was created with, was never giving up on a person. I will be your strongest advocate, your loudest cheerleader. And I’ve found, sometimes that’s what we need; someone to be louder than the lies we hear within the echoing of our own emptiness.
