Ramadan ended and the celebrations have begun. I broke my fast yesterday, if you want to call it that. I woke before dawn, as I have done the last 31 days. I ate a part of my breakfast and saved the rest for lunch. Eating during the middle of the day makes me sick, but I needed mark the end of Ramadan. I read 2 Chronicles and Ezra today. I realize that I don’t want to stop this process. I witnessed amazing changes in myself the past 31 days and realize that I have a lot more work to do in order to be the person God’s wants me to be. So I recommit to another fast.
I intend to keep waking up at 4:30 A.M. to pray and meditate. I incorporate yoga in this process to stretch my body or my temple in preparation for the work that I need to do. I eat before dawn as I have for the past 31 days. I review the things for me to do today and I leave for work on time so that I may do them.
I meet the same petty, small minded officials that the Israelites meet in Ezra. People feel that they need to make themselves look important by impeding my progress. I don’t waste any time with such people. I turn to my bible. I read the details of the census and inventories. God requires leaders to be accountable to the people whom they serve. I wonder what would have happened if the people had decided to avoid documentation or decided that documentation wasted their precious time? We would not have such a brilliant model to follow.
The auditors arrive at my place of work and unlike my superiors; I feel no fear or concern. I understand that audits concur with God’s plan for leaders to act as good stewards with the people’s money. Schools receive funding from tax dollars and administrators need to take this responsibility seriously. I like the way people in 2 Chronicles and Ezra volunteered to complete tasks together. They required no pay to complete the temple. They needed no force to perform the things that they needed to perform. They agreed to utilize their skills for the betterment of all of the people.
Habitat for Humanity and similar organizations follow this code of ethics. If more people volunteered to work together, the country would not know recession. The principles and models provided by the bible exist in all holy books. My focus needs to stay on the lessons in the bible instead of the intentions of others.
One of the officials who ignored me for three weeks humbled herself and came to ask me for help. Help, which I readily gave. I insisted on speaking to her when we passed in the halls even though she demonstrated and unwillingness to respond. When she needed my help, she asked someone to ask me for help and thus avoiding a face-to-face meeting. Through the course of time, it became evident that she needed my help to properly fulfill her duties and that it would not be possible to use another person as a spokesperson. She asked for herself and her request was granted.
The other official who tries to make my life difficulty out of a petty need to control and feel important came to me throughout the day. He needed support and encouragement. Despite my feelings or past experiences, I help those who need help. I don’t hold grudges or act on those grudges. I recognize that I need to stay in prayer and meditation to avoid sinking to the level of those who have leadership’s positions but don’t have the emotional maturity or the skill to handle that position.
I fear no one. I believe that God controls all things. I know that God provides me with gainful employment and will always provide me with gainful employment. I need freedom to express myself and to create. It dampens my enthusiasm to work in a place that does not value creativity.
I don’t see the point of holding on to yesterday. I am blessed to live in a country that provides so many conveniences. I can live alone and independently because we have developed an infrastructure, which supports independent living. People toiled for generations to make sure that this generation enjoys a higher standard of living than ever before in history.
I read about the people in the bible who needed to exert physical energy for the smallest of needs and I am grateful. I don’t have to hunt and kill before I can prepare food to eat. I don’t need to make a fire and tend it in order to have sustenance for my family. I drive to work and any of the other places that I need to go. I am grateful that I don’t have to ask permission to move about and conduct my daily business.
The details in Chronicles and Ezra impress me. They kept meticulous records of how they spent their time and utilized their resources. They believed in budgets and record keeping. They accounted for all the tithes of the people as well as the work that was conducted. I realize the importance of organization when you want to accomplish something. It doesn’t matter how little or how much you have if you don’t use it properly.
The most important thing that I learn from fasting and prayer is to take responsibility for myself. I don’t worry and fret over the actions of others. I find it difficult to empathize with people who choose to be victims. I waste little time with people who want the easy way out and expect others to do their jobs for them. I reflect on how many people in the Bible Belt read the bible and attend church on a regular basis. Yet feel no connection with the principles of each person contributing with is outlined in the bible. I make a decision to commit to greater responsibility for the outcomes in my life.
