Minority Report
“I am but one small voice.” Anonymous
I have been told that there are approximately 7.5 billion people on the planet. If that is correct and my math is correct, I represent .000000000133% of the total human population on Earth. My number may be small, but my message is not. My impact is determined by what I say with my one small voice.
God hears all prayers. God answers all prayers. Sometimes the answer is wait. Sometimes the answer is no. But God hears it all and takes it to heart. I never go unheard. While I may only be one, my voice is no less important than all the other voices out there. It is not more than; it is not less than.
It is equal.
I have come to realize that I am the author of the minority report. Most people don’t think like I do. They don’t have to. They have not yet been rendered powerless by an addiction or other significant problems. They can still call the shots. They can afford to manipulate and control. They have the luxury of being able to forsake the feelings of others for their own personal gain. I can’t anymore. I can ill-afford anything that is focused on selfish pursuit, not if I actually value serenity and spiritual growth, not if I want to stay well. But not everybody thinks as I do and that’s okay whether I like it or not.
God has explicitly asked us to develop a relationship with Him, to be different, to do as He asks. In the way that I understand a relationship with God, there is no room for pettiness and self-concern. I can’t say that I try to live a godly life and behave like a hooligan. I cannot pursue the riches of selfless living and be out for myself. We can no longer compartmentalize this. When word and action are not congruent, the treasure cannot be found. The bounty I seek is found in an entirely different location.
It used to bother me when I failed to commonly encounter other people that share these types of beliefs. This stuff is not for everybody and I now realize that it’s for fewer than I thought. Whether people want to hear me or not, I will remain this one small voice and keep saying the same things…be grateful, love yourself, practice tolerance, and serve with humility and compassion.
End minority report.
Respectfully submitted this fine day,
James A. Francetich
CC: God
James A. Francetich is a freelance writer and author. The opinions expressed are solely of the author and do not represent any community based recovery programs, private or public entities or any governmental agencies.