In searching for two individuals, it was not too difficult to think of two individuals, one who is a friend of mine and another who is prominent in both our church and in the United States government who have definitely seen difficult days but have survived difficult circumstances, learning several things along the way. Two websites used to learn more about these two individuals can be found in the AU225 Delicious network.
Carlos Trimble, also known as L.Y.M.E., is a student of Andrews University who has definitely been through a lot in his life. After his parents divorced, he began to go down a path that led him to start taking drugs and drinking alcohol as early as 12 years old. Soon after, he joined a gang and was involved in various crimes, as well as many attempts form rival gangs to take his life. After experiencing great hardship with this kind of lifestyle, as well as losing his job, he felt a call from God to give up his life and realized that if he did not do so, he would die very soon. So, in an act of desperation, he gave his life to God and ever since has been practicing a Christian life and associating with fellow Christians.
He worked at a Midwestern record company that features Christian rap artists for a few years before he decided that he should go to school to become a pastor. He is now nearly a graduate of Andrews University and intends to enter the Seventh Day Adventist Theological Seminary soon after graduating with his BA in Theology.
In addition to this, he has been "given a name," as he says, "to remind him of his savior." His new name, L.Y.M.E., stands for Lord You're My Everything. Under this name, he has produced several wonderfully written songs that are laden with Christian themed topics such as the problem of sin and the need for Christians to practice an active Christian walk with God, as well as to fulfill the divine call to spread the gospel to the entire earth.
His life is certainly an example of a person who has found peace after going through a period of darkness. He has found that the answer to the problems that led him into his former lifestyle is to follow God.
Barry Black is currently the chaplain of the United States Senate, as well as for the House of Representatives. He grew up in the rough neighborhoods of inner city Baltimore where he witnessed poverty, domestic violence, and hardship. He himself endured hardship because his father was rarely around to take care of him. However, his dedicated mother made sure that he was taken care of and raised him to be a Bible-believing Christian. From the very beginning Black showed signs of becoming a great preacher of God, frequently memorizing and repeating sermons he heard, as well as memorizing bible verses to earn his allowance.
He describes his life in this way: "God set in motion a sequence of events that let that little eight-year-old go from the hood to the Hill. " This, indeed, seems true, as he rose from his humble beginnings in Baltimore to being, perhaps, the most prominent chaplain in the United States of America.
Both individuals can be compared, at least loosely, to certain principles found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Trimble sought out fulfillment in life in trying out drugs, alcohol, and by joining a gang. He found that nothing could fill the void in his life except pursuing an active relationship with God. Black had a slightly better experience in that he did not allow the environment around him in Baltimore to disallow him from becoming the man he is today. He attributes this fact to the guidance of God in his life. Both are worthy examples to imitate in that they both emphasize the greatness and power of God. The principle message I gained from these two individuals is that a firm reliance on the power and guidance of a loving God will not only direct our paths but allow us to become great women and men of God.
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