Desperation

As I stood in line for the restroom on the plane from Brasilia to Miami, I observed, as much as possible with no glasses or contacts, the people in line with me. I could see that each of us was desperate in a specific way.

The mom with the toddler was clearly desperate to get her child there before he had an accident. The child who came alone was doing the “potty dance,” having waited too long to come. In her defense, the lights were still off, so we were all just awakening.

One woman was so desperate she ran the gauntlet to get to the first class restroom. She was back immediately, after being chastized by the flight attendant.

And I? i was desperate to see. I’d forgotten to put my glasses in my carryon, and I couldn’t wait to get my contacts back in. I was grateful that I only had to follow the aisle to get to the restroom and didn’t actually have to see to get there.

Desperation is all around us. People are desperate for jobs or promotions or transfers. Couples are desperate for homes, or children, or just the right schools for their children.

Singles are desperate to get married; married couples are desperate to divorce. Students are desperate to be popular or make good grades or get into the right university.

Some people are desperate for God and don’t even know it. It’s up to us to show them the way to God, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit  guidance keeps me from being desperate–most of the time. I want others to have this assurance, this lack of desperation. I want to share with everyone I meet the peace that passes understanding.

What are you desperate for?