The first and the last
Once I was travelling by bus through Ernakulam city, near Cochin. The bus stops were not familiar to me and I enlisted the help of the joyful looking 'Kili'. 'Kili' is the term for the bus staff who controls the door operation, notably while standing on the footboard. The chap seemed in good spirits, suspiciously more than normally possible (probably having downed a few spirits). "Sit down, don't worry," he reassured me in a loud voice coupled with a huge smile and half closed eyes. Suspecting his state of consciousness for its ability to keep his word, I reminded him again a few minutes later. He reassured me again saying, "Sure, I'll make sure that you get down at the right place." He chatted loudly with the passengers and the Conductor. A few stops later, the journey seemed longer than I thought and I asked a some passengers about my stop. "We passed that bus stop ten minutes ago," they said. Thanks.
As I got off, I gestured to Mr. Kili at the door, "What is this!?" It took me a few more bus rides to get to my destination.
People may not keep their word. Our certainties may be placed in the wrong hands. What you wished for may not transpire. In fact, this life may bring plenty of disappointments. Life really is hard, often when you expect it the least. Your spouse may turn out different from the time you dated him or her. Even worse, you might find, to your horror, that you weren't living up to what you promised your spouse. Human frailty may shock us.
That's when I realise that I am strong in many areas, but weak on the vitals; that I need strength and character much more than I already have. In the book of Revelations, St. John, sitting probably in a lonely prison cell in the island of Patmos, sees a grand vision of a majestic Jesus Christ in all his glory that he almost dropped dead. But the same majestic Christ reaches out, places his hand on him and says, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. I am the Living One."
The begining and the end, and alive.
Stop worrying today. Place your trust in the One who was before everything and will outlast everything. All it takes is saying: I place my trust in you, O the first and the last.
