The Paradigm Shift: (In the Wilderness)

By Ruford Royal Murray

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664168435

Ruford Royal Murray

Ruford Royal Murray, A.K.A. “Mepa,” is a native of Dangriga Town, Belize, Central America, Belize. He was born to his parents Ermita Roches and Robert Murray (both deceased.) Ruford is also blessed with another “mother”, Miss Aloyse Weir, a retired teacher at Stann Creek Ecumenical High school (deceased.) His favorite hobby is poetry composition. His international exposure to The Caribbean, Central America and North America has empowered and enriched his writings. Mr. Murray’s organizational affiliation includes but not limited to Honored Member of Cambridge WHO’S WHO Registry of Executives, Professional and Entrepreneurs, WHO’S WHO among American Colleges and Universities, Ronald McNair’s Scholarship Program, Central American Scholarship Program, and International Library of Poets. As a published author and poet, he has authored and published five other books: Africa’s Cry, Flames of Mixed-Emotions, Conflict Resolution Strategies (For All Season,) The Paradigm Shift (In The Wilderness,) and The Disfigured Mask. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies (Minor in Political Science) and a Master of Arts Degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building from California State University, Dominquez Hills, Carson, California. Mr. Murray is a blossoming conflict resolution personnel and resides in Los Angeles, California.

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Copyright © 2021 by RUFORD ROYAL MURRAY.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 04/12/2021

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CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

SELF-INTROSPECTION

NEGATIVITY’S VIBRATIONS

DIVINE INTERVENTION

SPIRITUAL METAMORPHOSIS

INTUITIVE REVELATION

PAINS’ POWER

HUMBLY SURRENDER

THE STRUGGLE WITHIN

FORGIVENESS

RESTORATION

RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY

CONCLUSION

PREFACE

No matter how strong a person might be, there comes a time when emotional and spiritual support is required. The reality of selling one-self short is a tendency that occurs daily. There is not any perfect man but there are those who try to be good.

Also, they are strong and keep striving to do right by mankind throughout their lives. Many do not accept this with grace. Instead, faults are seen as the only sentiments of manifestation of these different opinions. Many times, the self or the afflicted becomes the very obstacle or stumbling- block that restricts the river of blessings from flowing into the life of the afflicted. The storms of life are manifested in the negative or evil forces where failures, depression, hurts, hopelessness, anger, pains and frustrations seem like tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunami and hurricanes in the daily activities of life.

The need for moral and emotional support is imperative in overcoming the struggles if success is to be acquired. This is in conjunction with the soul’s strength to be restored, rejuvenated and replenished within the inner man; via prayers and submission to God and His will.

Self’s interest, emotional desires and egocentric attitudes must be removed or withdrawn from the process. The afflicted own self behaviors and image must also undergo this transition/transformation for the spiritual enlightenment and self-empowerment divinely to intervene and solidify the spiritual development of the afflicted.

INTRODUCTION

The adversatives that begin the ascent of the afflicted out of the struggles, trials, tribulations and frustrations of hopelessness; into the world of joy, laughter and an immense over-flowing of blessing like The River Nile are birth out of the storms within and from the wilderness journey. Throughout this ordeal, encountering on a daily and nightly basis, the continuous and sincere pouring out of supplications, anguish, pains, disillusionment and helplessness of the afflicted crying out to The Lord, How long, how long, how long will these sufferings and sorrows continue? become the bed of agony and shame.

The overwhelming darkened cloud of the presence of these sufferings floods the night skies of the soul, the sorrows and confusion of the mind and the impending victory of the negative forces within the body. The courage and strength taken in confronting this awareness are sources of educational, spiritual empowerment and inspirational enlightenment, to others, who may have experienced, are experiencing or will experience them in the future. These harsh and cruel experiences should foster the gravitational pull of the afflicted towards The Heavenly Creator and not the other way around. As highlighted in the New King James Version of James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Clean your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Life has a manner of becoming the teacher and voice of Experience to situations faced within the wilderness journey, be it personal or otherwise. Many times, the experiences do afford a lesson nor void of pains, tears and heartaches.

The self-displacement of the emotional, roller coaster due to life’s socio-economic and geo-political instabilities birth into being the humanness in everyone. Behind the scenes and within the center of the storms of life calmness" ignites a greater confidence and focus so concentrated in the development and empowerment of self-knowledge and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

SELF-INTROSPECTION

The breaking-up of a solidified and intact structure, finds itself gradually eroding by the forces of envy, jealousy and negative spiritual warfare! This awareness has birth a sense of inner-self evaluation and disassociation from people, places and things- contributing forces to this reality!

In an effort to uplift, empower and enhance the socio-economic fabric, of the once loved, the kindness and love are often taken for granted. How many times, has one’s kindness or love taken for g ranted, thought of lightly or not thought of at all?

The facing and subjugation of and to this harsh and sudden reality, do transform the inner-man’s thoughts and actions overwhelmingly! Too often, the disfigurations of the person’s kindness, tenderness, consideration, love and appreciation decrease and are redirected internally.

The once consumed thought of bettering the other/s loses its gravitational pull that ultimately becomes insignificant and inconsequential.

Biblically, the advice is to do good to them that mistreat you, turn the other cheek or pray for them who unjustly harm you! In yielding to such spiritual request the cycles of injustice, inconsideration and advantage blossom in perpetuation as if it were the norm.

In affecting this transition, the mind, body and soul go through an enormous evolution of self-survival! Evidently, the humanness in whatever context of thought does resonate with such vision. The advent of this new revelation and its implication are emotionally devastating.

Such sensation goes beyond bodily peripheries that yield tears of shock, words of vulgarity, question to God and self-denial!

Irrespective of this emotional roller coaster, the only consolation is- That’s human to do such! However, no words of comfort or sweet embrace can erase the intensity of neither the pain nor the tears upon the face evoked by such experience. The uncertainty of the sudden and traumatic inner-feelings or sensations find themselves streaming down the soul like an avalanche.

Being open like a book, does make the vulnerability of one more visible. To anyone’s awareness, this transparency lends itself to over-indulgence of abuse: emotionally, financially, psychologically and spiritually. An in-depth evaluation of the emotions pushes the recipient to ascertain that blood’s allegiance is not anything thicker than water! Contrary to sociologists’ belief, the family’s bond is the glue or fulcrum upon which allegiance is established.

Argumentatively, this stance is often challenge by the litmus test of the voice and recipient of "EXPERIENCE!"

The confrontation to this reality, presents a character that has undergone a change- into a cold, distant, selfish and self-preserved individual. The gruesomeness of this inner-body experience crushes the desired objective of unity, self-empowerment and upward mobility! In dissecting the magnitude and gravity within its circumstance, the consequences are enormous and numerous.

The exploratory phase presents an unfruitful process of whatever endeavor! Irrespective of the soil, upon which the seed of love falls on, the only harvests of the day are pain, tears, anguish, anger and frustration!

On meandering through the pathway of uncertainty, the stop signs of envy, jealousy, backbiting and hatred flood the people and streets as obstacles to progress! Like a cloud of darkness, hovering or encamping around the familiar routes, so are the misfortunes of the efforts, hardships and sacrifices that linger upon these trails.

On venturing further on the barren land of hope, prayers and faith, lead more distance between the vision and the realization of the dreams as the fruits of the soil yield more and more agony and despair.

To the dismay of progress, yielding blessings like rain, its off-springs are nothing but failures like thorns on the pathway of life. The disillusionment of this vision lends them to a dry, unfriendly and torturous terrain compounding the fear and despair! As the topography of this terrain becomes the frequent platform of the soul’s navigation or pathway to self-empowerment of inspiration, it is burnt and trampled upon by the heat of these forces resulting in its gradual deterioration.

Too often, the question is asked, How can a creature, that is so blessed, be restored with joy and laughter-not only as dreams but, as reality? Evidently, the angel of death was not the recipient of God’s email or text! Probably, the prospective doer is not adhering to the requests or regulations of The Most-High! Either way, journeying through this hostile land to self-liberation, brings nothing but confusion, restlessness and question of My God, MY God, why have you forsaken me?

The humanness is subjected to confront this harsh reality! It is so frightening when the labors, efforts or sacrifices are not realized or blossomed into their just- objectives. Seemingly, this doer is closed- off from God, the wall of communication is unable to be penetrated or God has not inclined His ears to the cries and plight of His afflicted.

Where there should be sweetness, joy, water, something, peace, laughter is nothing but sourness, unhappiness, drought, nothing, turmoil and sadness which flood the soul, like The River Nile. The sensations of being lost and confuse in a darkened maze of life, stifles and cripples the hope of ever being free!

This freedom finds itself exposed not just to the lack of material things, but the intangibles of inner-pain and teardrops brought about by injustices, abuse, ridicule, lies and shame.

In search of this vision, brings one no closer than a quest for a needle in a haystack; escorted by darkness as the guiding light in pursuit of such endeavor.

The continuous recycling of denials, rejections and failures become the friends of everyday. Ironically, their presence comforts the concept of "It’s ok as the coping mechanism of escaping the reality being confronted.

The strength, hope and faith in The Most- High seem lost and taken away! Amazingly, the prayers that once yield fruits-no longer reach His ears! Oh Mercy, Oh Mercy and Grace where are you?

Deep within the soul, somewhere, His words of assurance I will never leave you nor forsake you, still linger in the secret recesses of the mind. However, if that is so, then, Where is He, in this demise? Evidently, anguish and emptiness never seem to cease from haunting this journey as every step taken in search of comfort and peace.

In embarking further, the journey’s quest is draped by a darkened, scary and frightening cloud of confusion. The ignorance of the unfamiliarity to this treacherous, expansive, hot and irregular land- form is like a blind man seeking to cross a mountain or valley. It is evident that falls will occur, scratches and disorientation will be had and most of all, patience will be tested!

The challenges being experience do birth into existence an Inner Transformation! Mentally, the weakness is changed into strength, the fear is converted into courage, the patience is changed into endurance, and disorientation is changed into focus and lack of sight into Faith!

This paradigm shift/shifting of perspective also accentuates into being a Transitional Shift or position construct! Why is that? The Transitional Shift forces a change in the displacement of where the thoughts and actions once retarded the progress to that of being the compelling forces of positive and upward movements!

These two bodies, of intersecting foundations, are fuel by the heightened sense of Maturity! That is, even though the knowledge is limited, the terrain is unknown, the failures may occur, the back-bitters may be present, abandonment by friends and relatives occur, hatred surface and the storm of injustice persists, Trusting in Him becomes The Light and Might in The Darkness!

That knowledge of assurance, He knows best, strengthens the inner-man with a sense of peace and comfort. This divine intervention also releases the grip on people, places and things that stifles, suffocates or retards the growth of deliverance or progress. It awakens a courage- that stands up in defense of justice, releases people, places and things not beneficial or toxic to the process, taps into the divine intuition, embraces the journey and yields to His directives!

Amazingly, this powerful sense of enlightenment calls into focus Lazarus’s resurrection, as a metaphor!

The stone being hard, thick and round represents the pains and sufferings encounter on life’s pathway. The closed tomb is seen as the clouded, confused, frightened, darkened and disoriented minds. The bed-rock/stone is equated to the struggles of life being hard