MAKING MY WAY THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW

The title line is from the theme song for the Duke’s of Hazard. I am talking about the original television program with Waylon Jennings singing the theme song. You know the one with the original Bo, Luke, Daisy, Cooter and Uncle Jesse and not the current movie version remake. The line actually goes, “making their way the only way they know how, that’s just a little bit more than the law will allow.” It is, I think, a truism that most if not all of us can relate too about our real world existence. The real world is unfair, untidy, unruly and the outcome unknown. I recognize in my own dirt farm existence that I am simply “making my way the only way I know how” and all too frequently, that seems to be coloring outside the lines of my own religious heritage.

This is the sad reality of my everyday existence, it is uncertain at best. Like the Duke boys, my life seems to go from one crisis to another. I am constantly trying to stay one-step ahead of those who would try to steal the farm and enslave my family and me. The boss Hogg types of this world in their white suits, drop top Cadillac’s and smoking Cuban cigars make life a constant struggle for survival. These fat cat control freaks who live high on the hog and off the backs of the poor force all of us to make our way the best way we know how. Yet, there always seemed to be an Uncle Jesse type waiting loyally at home. The one who is ready when necessary to bail me out and remind me that someone loves me and believes in me. We all need family and friends who will stand by us. Those rare and wonderful fellow travelers on road of life, also making their way the only way they know how.

What of the others, the selfish, greedy, shameless, immoral and deceptive forces of darkness. The “they” we all know or believe to be out there somewhere who are constantly attempting to gain power over others and their environment by whatever means imaginable or possible. They seek power as an addict seeks another fix because the ultimate use of power to control others is the greatest of all trips. Once one becomes accustom to people bowing to their every whim, they seem forever bound to crave that power. In this way they remind me of Al Gore who cannot seem to resist the urge to appear on one more television program, propose one more goofy idea or write one more pointless book just to stay in the public eye. Just making their way the only way they know how, I suppose.

The forces of evil propose to dismantle our lives piece by piece and make us toys for their own amusement. Then only to cast us a side like broken toys left to rust on the waste site of history. Like pawns on a chessboard, they move and manipulate us about the board for there own perverse pleasure. All of this in an attempt to achieve some kind of strategic advantage over our individual lives. The more we attempt to shake off the shackles and chains of spiritual bondage the more force the enemy exerts to enslave and subjugate us. Those who are free are always a threat to those who have allowed themselves to become slaves to the enemy of all humankind. In a world dominated by the selfish, greedy, shameless and immoral, the children of light are making their way the best way they know how. Evil and darkness cannot tolerate exposure to light. When we shine even the smallest ray of sunshine into this dark corner of the world, we are making our way the best way we know how.

Those who walk in the dark places are creatures of the shadows who cannot tolerate exposure to the light. In the world, that these loathsome creatures inhabit any flicker of light is to be feared, hated and crushed. Hidden in the shadows they manipulate people and circumstances in the attempt to destroy the greatest threat to their existence, the children of light. It is in this seedy underbelly of human existence that the followers of the dark one exist. I say exist because they do not live but merely exist. They do not know the meaning of true life. They hide behind mask of light; they wear white suits and pretend to be followers of the true God. They tell lies that they represent as truth. Dark shadowy lies, the kind that has just enough truth to make them seem believable to the gullible and spiritually weak. By feeding upon the weak, they retain their source of power. They prey upon the weak like parasites sucking their life from them. Like ticks sucking the lifeblood from them, these loathsome creatures bury themselves into their host and they grow larger and darker with every drop of blood they drain. In this shadowy, parasitic world of lies, deceit and half-truth, we the free children of light are making our way the best way we know how. We fight, wage war with the shadow using weapons of light to bring hope to the hopeless.

In a hostile world where the forces of darkness lurk in the shadows, disguise themselves in white suits, in the world of greedy, shameless, immoral, self-centered and in a world of fakes and frauds “I am making my way the only way I know how.” I will attempt to live as a ray of light in the darkness. I will assert that true strength is revealed in weakness. I will live as a free man no matter what the cost. Making my way the only way I know how by walking in the light with the God of mercy, love and grace.

Just a few things to think about along the way.

Bob