“…When you live in the land of death, sometimes your mind and soul get lost on the way home…”
The Professor
In my recent book, Tales from the Wreckage: The Beginning, I had the opportunity to write a dedication to one of my mentors, the late Rev. Dr. Ralph M. Ross. He was a spiritual giant. He baptized me in the swimming pool at N.C. A&T State University, installed me as a Student Minister and leader in the University Pentecostal Campus Fellowship and got my ministry off the ground.
On this occasion, I was reminded of going to see him at his home in NC. As we walked in the park that day, I shared with him I had lost my way. I shared that my life was spiraling downward. I was clinically depressed, drinking heavily, smoking and using drugs. I didn’t get into the good shit: the prostitutes, the massage parlors and the porn addiction, the embezzlement of funds or the grand theft auto, I had yet to learn the true power in sharing my lived truth or embracing the gift of my faults. Yes, I had lost my way. I hear his response now like it was yesterday. He said “…you have forgotten who you are…you are a Gideon, a Mighty Warrior…”
“…Transformation is overcoming the spiritual sickness of our cast of characters, and their voices, occurring to us as some kinda damn character defects…Until we find our characters, we ain’t telling our true story…”
Hunter
There is no longer any shame in my game. The tragedy in life isn’t in Getting Lost. The real danger in life is in never realizing it takes finding our characters and owning our stories to make our way home.
“…In our characters and our stories, the embodiment of the gift of our faults, lie our inner superheroes with their superpowers and, consequentially, the battle that rages in all of us. Yet, we’re the lucky ones; we’re still alive…”
The Professor
I believe ‘self-knowledge’ is power. There’s power in knowing who the hell we really are. ‘Self-knowledge’ is the power that can help us find our way home.
R.I. P. Ralph M. Ross. I thank you and all those who came before me and illuminate the way home. I pray I have the courage and intestinal fortitude to follow your footsteps.
Read more about the Professor and Hunter and share your story. Listen to Hunter’s Podcast. All on wreckedamerica.com. In Wrecked America, #GettingHomeMatters.
The Struggle Continues…
