One of the most beautiful and inspiring messages about Jesus that I’ve come across is the poem "One Solitary Life" by James Allen Francis. I’m sure many of you have heard it before, but it’s one of those pieces that resonates deeply every time:
“He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village, where He worked in a carpenter’s shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book, never held an office, never went to college, never visited a big city. He never travelled more than two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While dying, His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Yet, all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned put together, have not affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that one solitary life.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the outward experiences—beautiful music, mega churches, all the bells and whistles. And while these can inspire us, the heart of Jesus’ message is much simpler and profoundly deeper. It's a reminder to "Be still, and know that I am God."
This is why meditation and prayer are so important. They create space—an inner stillness—where we can have true communion with God. This stillness is something we can also cultivate in our yoga practice, if we are conscious and choose to. We are blessed with the freedom of choice—to either align ourselves with the divine, or to be distracted. The choice we make shapes our spiritual journey, and the message of Christ remains as essential today as it was over 20 centuries ago.
Christ taught us so many things—love, patience, forgiveness—but to me, the birth of Jesus symbolizes hope.
Think about it: when Jesus was born two thousand years ago, humanity needed hope, and today we find ourselves in a similar place, navigating uncertainties and darkness. We need that light of hope more than ever.
In our pursuit of success and happiness, we work hard, stay committed, and do everything "right," yet life still throws us curveballs. We face failure, broken relationships, health struggles, and we can end up feeling discouraged and defeated. But the truth is, hopelessness is the real killer of dreams.
Do you know the story of the mother giraffe? When she gives birth, her baby falls to the ground from a great height. As soon as the newborn tries to stand, the mother giraffe kicks it hard, sending it flying. The baby is confused, but instinctively knows it must act—if it doesn’t get up, it will only receive more kicks. So, on its wobbly legs, the baby stands and runs. Once it starts running, the mother embraces it. The harsh treatment wasn't cruelty, but preparation. The mother giraffe knows the jungle is full of predators, and the baby needs to be strong and capable of running to survive.
Life is much like that. It kicks us when we fall, but like the baby giraffe, we have to stand up and keep moving. The key is hope. It’s what gets us back on our feet, helps us dream new dreams, and propels us forward. When we light the inner candle of hope, everything becomes possible again.
Without hope, our lives contract and shrink. But with hope, even when surrounded by darkness, new possibilities arise. It has the power to open doors, to give us back more than we thought we lost. So, keep your candle of hope burning, because as long as it’s lit, it will light the way forward—not just for you, but for those around you as well.
Lastly, I invite you to take some time to reflect deeply on these questions:
What promises have you made with your life?
How are you keeping those promises?
Where do you need hope most in your life today?
Are you ready to light your inner candle of hope and stand with it?
I would love to hear what this brings up for you and anything you’d like to share.
Комментарии