Brave Enough To Be Bliss

Before I took a bath last night, I was uncomfortable with using GB Real because I didn’t want it to become something about me, I wanted to make sure I could remain me, humble.

I knew I wanted to use any money I earn to do good things for other people and to just make enough money for me to live comfortably, never worry about money, but use all the excess to care for others, and set the example that no matter who we are or what we have, we all have enough within us to help one another. And not fear the inner city, places I haven’t lived with people who may look different on the outside than me, so build my house, small just like this little condo with a garage, and live in the inner city somewhere and help build a GB Real community there to show people we don’t have to fear each other or communities that may look different from us. Live right in one of the highest crime areas bringing light and love, not trying to change it to suit me but just being me so we can embrace and learn from each other and celebrate each other. Just go where people who look like me are scared to go and prove there’s no reaso n not to. Show that just like when I wrote back to whomever posed as a famous person on Instagram knowing they were trying to scam me, and have a conversation with the mixed up, confused, hurting person inside and share who I am which I will have already done in the book available to virtually everyone in the world where I share my whole heart and soul, show I am real and very flawed, express I hurt just like everyone does, and the community will rise and protect me because I will show first I believe in them.

I will help bring people together to collaborate and help revitalize or build new things from the old and bring paint, like the KU lockers, to brighten up the community for those who are being marginalized and treated as less than. I will give them enough hope to help themselves and they will in turn help others as they have been helped. Love begets love. I will model taking a page from Mother Teresa in a sense, not giving up everything but a lot, not being a saint-like person like she was, but just showing what Real can be as I’ve done already with giving up things and living in moderation, a generally hea lthy place to be. But I will model love, caring, giving, etc. starting with the free e-book to be able to help virtually anyone and then after licensing money comes in, I can publish hard copies for organizations that want to provide them to hurting people.

I wasn’t positive about the inner-city part until I read this in the Bible app I try to read every night before I fall asleep. You get to a point each day after the scripture where you pick one of three things you want to do. After I selected the middle one about guiding my decision-making, the next screen had this message.

Light It Up.

Picture it: a big city with tall buildings, a hilltop village surrounded by vibrant farms, an oceanside community on top of a giant bluff. Cities are impressive on their own, but they’re undeniably radiant when they’re high upon a hill. And they’re extra brilliant when they’re saturated with light. Speaking to the crowds and His disciples in His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told them: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 NLT As He continued His message, Jesus explained, like a city on a hill or a lamp on a stand, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

Jesus often used metaphors to get people thinking, so here are six things to consider as you reflect on that verse: 1. It’s all His. We are only a light when we have the light— His light — shining through us. Anything good is first given by Him, and this should empower us with humble confidence. 2. We’re chosen. We can’t do anything to earn the honor and responsibility of being a light - reflector. It’s a title that’s given to us because it should be truth that’s self -evident. 3. Don’t hide it. God’s light inside of us cannot be hidden. When we’re truly following Him, it is obvious and undeniable. So, we can boldly and unashamedly shine brightly for Him. 4. Light it up. While we don’t want the world around us to grow darker and darker, the Bible teaches that it’s inevitable. And yet — His light will shine best in the dark. 5. No more darkness. Christ’s followers are meant to be a beacon of light, illuminating God’s truth and shining His love. Whoeve r follows Jesus will never walk in darkness (John 8:12).

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