Fanaticism, Revisited and Rethought

Is there no hope for souls such as these?  Who in their sights have seen for certain this fact:  that this world is worthless to live in.  With this picture in mind, resolve is strengthened.  Focusing on the mishaps, the misgivings, the misdemeanors, there is not much to miss out on.  All of a sudden, however, this view is expanded, and here stand all the rest—all the population of the world.  The world's pointing fingers reach just inches from these soul's faces, shoulders are turned coldly on their eccentricities, their supposed fanaticism.  Haughty glances from made-up faces attempt to convince them of their foolishness, their ignorance, their utter, despicable stupidity.  The reaction is exactly what this arrogant population quite doesn't expect.  Resolved and completely confident and peaceful, they look into the eyes of the ones who ridicule them, their gaze unwavering, their faith remaining unquestioned in their hearts, their minds.  Maybe before you would have nabbed me, they say.  Perhaps years ago, months ago, even days ago, your condemnation would have caused me to perceive myself through your eyes, to question exactly what it is I believe.  You're too late it seems, the eyes continue.  Too late to make me waver.  I've finally realized those who are truly foolish in this world.  It's they who chase after these brief reveries of pleasure, these shallow moments of artificial intelligence.  It's they who constantly look to other's definitions of the world in order to create themselves in a way that is to be accepted.  It's they whose sight is limited to this one lifetime; they are scared of what they do not know, they are desperate to forget the truth that their knowledge is limited, and so they deny all that they don't have the answer for.  It's you.  I'm taken aback, the made-up face sputters, that you know so much about them…about me.  It's trying to retain the same arrogance, but uncertainty can be detected behind the sarcasm—it's been thrown off its guard.  I'd like to know then, the retreating face continues, where exactly you stand, seeing as you've attempted to sweep away and replace the very truths of the world.  What you've known to be truths, the eyes counter, head held high, gaze advancing over the other's retreat.  What you've been taught to be truths, thus have accepted as truthful, never once stopping to ask whether or not they really are true.  In answer to your question, however, I will compare where stand I (whom you say to be foolish) with where stand those I have come to realize as the truly foolish of the world.  I, opposite of these, have chosen to chase after pleasures that are eternal.  You may not see them.   There are moments even I have hazed vision and cannot see them, but I know without a doubt that one day they will come to me.  I have decided to search for true intelligence, from the One who crafted all knowledge, all understanding, all intelligence, and is Himself Knowledge, Intelligence, and Understanding at their very core.  I have decided not to look for the opinions of others as to how I should define myself.  I have instead, lost my identity in a much greater One; One who encompasses all of time-past, present, and future.  Because of this, I now have no need to pay heed to what people think of me, and whether or not I'm accepted.  In all seriousness, it now does not matter in the least bit.  For even if I were to be, by your standards, absolutely and completely alone, nothing could be more untrue.  Fads and fashions in appropriate and popular conduct will come and go.  I plan to disregard them all, as I have no need for them now.  I have decided to look over and beyond this petty, incredibly short life, and into the distance beyond.  There are some things I know for certain; these are the hopes I hold to, the promises I know to be true.  There are other things I do not know.  These, however, cannot phase me, because of what I do know.  I know all that I need to know, and all I ever need to know, I am sure within myself that these will be revealed to me in due time, if it is necessary knowledge.  In the meantime, I continue to search for what may be found, and trust in what may not be found.

The eyes continue to gaze into each other, one waiting and watching critically for the other to budge from its convictions, the other simply, peacefully…waiting.

A soul sure in the One will forever go against common reasoning, and many times walk, quote, "alone".  May the name of the Lord be praised.