Be Someone

They were painted in September of 2012.  Two hopeful pieces of graffiti street art in Houston.  From I-10 East, if you look to the far left at the I-45 South exit to Galveston, you'll see one of them.  It was in my view on my ride home from the office yesterday and I snapped a photo of it.  There is no doubt that it tugs at the hearts of those who pass by it on a daily basis as well as others who are seeing it for the very first time.  Two words painted on the railroad tracks in two different shades of blue. "Be Someone."

 

Be someone.  What does that mean?  After all, we are all somebody, right?  I recently had a conversation and interaction with a person who has struggled with peace and contentment most of their life. It has been evident to me for as long as I can remember since the time I was introduced to them when they were 12 years of age.

 

It is truly as if this person wears an invisible backpack - not on their back, but turned around backwards so that it lays on their chest.  It's packed so full that it will barely close shut.  It's contents include pent up anger, bad memories, life choices, addictions, and worst of all - controlling demons.  In any conversation, the first words or encounter that happen to touch any of those contents of baggage (whether unintentional or intentional) cause the zipper of the backpack to open at lightening speed so the contents are spilled out and unleashed.  Unleashed in the form of absolute uncontrollable rage. 

 

We've talked about our lives and what it means to follow Jesus.  Neither time did the conversations go well and on that particular visit, on that particular evening, I personally did not want to engage in a conversation.  In fact, I argued with God about it.  I simply did not want to do it. But, I did.  And it didn't go well.  As I look back on it now, I think it was good for both of us because it gave reason for me to get a spiritual check up, but it also allowed me to share my longing for them to stop dipping their toes in the water and instead become fully immersed and soaking wet in the waterfall of God's love.  That can only be done by completely surrendering ourselves and all the contents in the backpack to Him.

 

Unfortunately, one day later, that rage was unleashed on someone who was not expecting it and without a doubt did not deserve it. I am thankful that I was not a witness to it but I have seen the after affects which have caused physical and emotional wreckage that will take many years in which to recover and to overcome.  It absolutely breaks my heart and I pray for redemption - redemption before there is another victim to the rage.

 

Hope. It's all we have.  Whether on a piece of graffiti street art or more importantly, hope in God's promises.  He is the only one that can change a heart and empty a backpack of all that is unnecessary.  He is all we need - He is the way, the truth and the life.

 

And He is our Redeemer.  He is in the redemptive story writing business and it is my prayer that this is the beginning of a redemption story. 

   

 



 

Be Someone

 

Be someone who listens, and you will be heard.

Be someone who cares, and you will be loved.

Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed.

Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.

 

Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise.

Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired.

Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected.

Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward.

 

Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich.

Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you’ll be thankful.

Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines.

Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be.
 

— Ralph Marston