A Hunger for Tomorrow
Talking and working with community leaders, students and officials at Virginia Tech for the last several weeks reminded me of just how precious life is. On April 16th, 33 individuals lost their lives but the magnitude of loss was immeasurable. Family members, fellow students, faculty and the community had their lives altered forever. Recovery and healing will take some time. It reminded me not to take for granted the people, opportunities, even moments that I presently enjoy.
As a Christian, I am incredibly grateful for the life that God has granted me through His Son, Jesus Christ. I honestly believe that if my life had not changed when it did, I would be on drugs, in prison or dead by now. This was the path that I was headed down, so life, to me, is a wonderful gift.
I pledge to celebrate life, but to be satisfied with it, well, that’s another story. I prefer to say “I’m working toward it” because satisfaction is a word that is a bit too final for me. The word is better referenced for seasons (because seasons end) unless you’ve earned the years of life’s seniority. For me, satisfied is a word I use after a good meal – it fulfills me at the moment but I understand I will still be hungry tomorrow.
I’m glad that my life is able to be used as a ministry tool for the service of mankind. However, my tomorrows make me hungry. As long as there are abused and exploited children, I’m still hungry. As long as there are individuals who continue to live under the bondage of alcohol and controlled substances, I’m still hungry. As long as the poor and middle-class go unrepresented, I’m still hungry. As long as pornography and profanity continue to pollute our airways, I’m still hungry. There is so much more on life’s menu that provokes my appetite for service.
But as I think about it, my hunger for tomorrow may just be my motivating resolve. My tomorrows fuel my hope for the opportunity of change. Each encounter opens the door to new life. In every experience, good or bad, my personal disposition is strengthened and I discern and embrace another side of God. I have an insatiable hunger to live. I guess to that end I’m thankful but not totally satisfied.
By
Lyle Dukes
|
May 22, 2007; 4:39 PM ET
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Posted by: Samantha | January 23, 2008 1:24 PM
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Posted by: ktuiz wmfveyi | July 10, 2007 9:34 AM
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Posted by: ktuiz wmfveyi | July 10, 2007 9:33 AM
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Posted by: ktuiz wmfveyi | July 10, 2007 9:32 AM
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I appreciate that your hunger for socio-economic change is what motivates you to not be satisfied with your life. I realize that I, too, am not satisfied with my life, but I believe that my pursuit of happiness is driven more so by selfish motivations. Thank you for having a caring heart that reaches out and seeks to see others blessed!
Posted by: TJ | May 23, 2007 10:15 AM
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Christians have been killing people for centuries in the name of Jesus, so it's always comforting to hear a christian mourn the loss of life. That the pulpit is a tool, may be the one accurate observation you make.
Posted by: thersitz | May 23, 2007 1:57 AM
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Please "Warm heart" I need to attend:
Correction Of SIN;
Eclat & "i" Is neither a HE nor a SHE, but is an "IT" (g-d) or an "ITSELF" ( All Atomic, Chemical, Elemental Self, (a/k/a ACES).
note: ACES stays behind Here, but Eclat"i" Never Stays behind but continues in the "DUE-TO-BE- MACHINE.
No Worry, Be happyrino Ya ? Ya !
Posted by: JJ et al | May 23, 2007 12:35 AM
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W O W!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2007 11:52 PM
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Gaby:
That must be the first time in all the times I've been trying to decipher Joseph's Jozvez's posts and actually think I grasped what Eclati-on is. Thanks for that. Could you always stick around and be his translator please?
Posted by: PriveR | May 22, 2007 11:31 PM
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The "new song" is a way to unite humankind into one nation, one religion, one HUMATE culture. We can never die, there is no heaven in the biblical or koranic sense.
We need to love each other, all of us, and when our time comes we will be again one with IT, until the next time in another dimension.
Posted by: Gaby | May 22, 2007 10:39 PM
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O.U.R.S = One Universal Religious System
Why? To being peace to this world. No more wars based on my God is better than your God. No more Christ versus Muhammad.
O.U.R.S. is the universal ethics code to bring humankind into harmony.
God is not what the Bible or the Koran says.
God is part of the Universe and we are part of him. He is not a He, He is an IT and we are part of IT. WE are part of the universe and we will return to IT when we die. No Heaven as in the Bible, just pure energy that needs to go home and recharge.
We are the light and the dark, the good and the evil, we are not dependent on ancient religious folklore. We are part of IT and can never die. Because darkness is just the absence of light and light will penetrate darkness every time.
Jacob Jozevz knows that and so do many others! Look at the sky, the moon, the stars, the vast constellations, IT brings wonderful music into our lives and we re part of IT.
You are welcome to experience it as well.
Posted by: Gaby | May 22, 2007 10:32 PM
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".. We don't mis them until they are gone????? Ya!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2007 8:18 PM
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Jozevz et al On...
"What????????????"
Posted by: ed | May 22, 2007 8:14 PM
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Good Post....
Posted by: IAM | May 22, 2007 5:46 PM
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Yeah, Man let's do it!!!
Posted by: clear | May 22, 2007 3:36 PM
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Christian or non-Christian - we do need to be more caring. We don't respect eachother like we should - it is just time to become a different people and a different nation all together. Maybe if we all did something things would change...
Posted by: Realman | May 22, 2007 3:35 PM
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Thanks for such a thought-provoking article! It has inspired and motivated me to be more hungry. Life is so precious!!! It is great to know that spiritual leaders like yourself were concerned and showed love to the families that were impacted by the incident that occurred at Virginia Tech.
Posted by: Annette | May 22, 2007 11:20 AM
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Thank you so much for reminding me that I should be more "hungry". I've been satisfied for a long time, and this article really made me think. I appreciate your approach to life, and I hope that this article motivates all of its readers to be more hungry!
Posted by: Lori | May 22, 2007 9:42 AM
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Thank you so much for reminding me that I should be more "hungry". I've been satisfied for a long time, and this article really made me think. I appreciate your approach to life, and I hope that this article motivates all of its readers to be more hungry!
Posted by: Lori | May 22, 2007 9:42 AM
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This article has caused me to look at the word "satisfaction" in an entire different context. I never thought about it referencing finality. Thank you for the insight. I agree with the ariticle that life is precious and we need to embrace each moment.
It is good to know that the Virginia Tech family had the love and support of great spiritual leaders such as Lyle Dukes to guide them through this horrible tragedy. I know they will always remember the love that they received.
Posted by: Ann | May 22, 2007 9:36 AM
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This article has caused me to look at the word "satisfaction" in an entire different context. I never thought about it referencing finality. Thank you for the insight. I agree with the ariticle that life is precious and we need to embrace each moment.
It is good to know that the Virginia Tech family had the love and support of great spiritual leaders such as Lyle Dukes to guide them through this horrible tragedy. I know they will always remember the love that they received.
Posted by: Ann | May 22, 2007 9:36 AM
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Wow! What an awesome article! Life is so precious, and when we see lives taken, like at Virginia Tech, it really makes you think. We all have a purpose and plan and the fact that we are still here means that our purpose has not yet been fulfilled.
When I read this article, it has helped me to see that I have to keep on going and pushing toward what God would have me to do, because I am still here.
Thank you Pastor Dukes.
And we must remember to keep Virginia Tech and tha region in our prayers.
Posted by: Janelle | May 22, 2007 8:34 AM
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Why is it that some Christians like Pastor Dukes have a heart like this and others that I know who claim to be the same religion care nothing about people and still do the the things that hurt others out of selfishness and pride?
Shouldn't all Christians care like this if they're followers of Christ?
Posted by: Pure Heart? | May 22, 2007 8:19 AM
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The amazing thing about this article is that it causes me to really see all the needs around me. Too often many, like myself, get into their daily routine and have so many demands pulling on them that they forget that people have deep needs and problems all around them.
I'm glad that God has given you a deep conviction to care about those who may be forgotten. When the media leaves Virginia Tech, they'll still need comfort and counseling.
Your hunger is a reminder for me to let God use my life to meet the needs of others around me.
Posted by: ANDRE | May 22, 2007 8:14 AM
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Excellent article! Life is so precious. Sometimes it takes events like what happened at Virginia Tech and 9-11 to grab our attention. We live our lives each day taking it and God for granted that we forget to celebrate the life that God gave us. Thanks for sharing and helping us to remember to celebrate life!
Posted by: Karen | May 22, 2007 7:56 AM
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I enjoyed your article - make you think about life - you know, what its value is. Our prayers and thoughts are with those families from Virginia Tech.
Posted by: anonymous | May 21, 2007 11:39 PM
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Great comment. life is precious and it is important to see it that way. So often we take for granted the things that the things that we have. We don't miss them until there gone.
Posted by: ed | May 21, 2007 6:58 PM
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Why did Jesus let those VT people die that way? Or was it God's will?
Posted by: confused | May 21, 2007 5:52 PM
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Paster Lyle Dukes & Co-Pastor Deborah Dukes are sincere, passionate, servants of God's kingdom. From attending Harvest Life Changers Church, where they Pastor, I can witness that what my pastor is saying to be true; you can see it in their lives as they preach and teach to us. They poor out and give of themselves from their life experiences that have been seasoned by the love for God. They encourage us to mature and be all that we were born to be and to do so without selfishness. Pastor Dukes & Co-Pastor Deborah Dukes is truly hungry to see people healed, set free and delivered.