I’m no angel, I’m no savior, and I’ve never been a saint. These are words I’ve lived by, not out of pride but out of a deep sense of reality—a reality shaped by the experiences that have molded me into who I am today. Life has a way of teaching you that there are no pure saints or devils walking among us, just people grappling with the hand they’ve been dealt, making choices, and facing the consequences.
You see, I’m not the devil either. If I were, I wouldn’t be able to feel the pain that comes from regret, loss, and the battles I’ve fought within myself. The fact that I can still feel this pain is proof that I’m still in the fight, still working to be better, still seeking redemption in my own way.
My journey has been anything but easy. I’ve walked through fire, not the kind you see in movies or read about in books, but the metaphorical kind that tests your spirit, your resolve, and your will to continue. There were times when it felt like I was walking through brimstone, where every step forward seemed to burn, where the idea of reaching the other side seemed like a distant dream. But despite the searing heat of those trials, I never found the pearly gates waiting for me. Instead, I found more roads, more challenges, and more opportunities to prove to myself that I could keep going.
In those moments of struggle, you start to think about what really matters, what you’re fighting for, and what you’ll say when your final day comes—when you stand before whatever form of judgment you believe in. I know I’ll have a lot of questions on that day. I’ll ask why things happened the way they did, why certain paths were laid before me, and why I was given the strength to walk through hell when others might have faltered. But until that day comes, all I can do is keep moving forward, keep fighting, and keep trying to be better.
I’ve learned that life isn’t about being an angel or a saint. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real. It’s about owning your mistakes, feeling the pain they cause, and using that pain as fuel to make better choices in the future. It’s about understanding that you don’t have to be a savior to make a difference—you just have to be present, be willing to help, and be strong enough to lift others up when they need it.
And trust me, I’ve needed that lifting more times than I can count. I’ve been on the receiving end of help, of support, of love that I didn’t always feel I deserved. But those moments of grace, where others have seen something worth saving in me, have taught me that there’s more to this life than just getting through it. There’s something to be said for striving, for reaching out, for making connections with others that transcend our individual struggles.
If I’ve learned anything from the fires I’ve walked through, it’s that we are all capable of change, of growth, and of becoming more than we were yesterday. But that change doesn’t come from denying who we are or what we’ve done. It comes from accepting it, learning from it, and using those lessons to forge a better path forward.
I often reflect on the people who have influenced me, the ones who have seen me at my worst and still believed in my potential. It’s humbling to think about the faith they had in me, especially when I had little faith in myself. But that’s the thing about being human—it’s not just about our journeys; it’s about how we intersect with others, how we lift each other up, and how we contribute to the world around us.
In my roles as a coach, a mentor, and a law enforcement and corrections officer, I’ve had the privilege of seeing people at their most vulnerable and at their most resilient. I’ve seen them face their own fires, their own brimstone, and I’ve seen them emerge on the other side stronger, more determined, and more aware of their own power. It’s a reminder that while none of us are angels, we all have the capacity to do good, to make a positive impact, and to be a source of strength for those who need it.
When I think about my final judgment day, I don’t worry about whether I’ll be seen as an angel or a devil. I worry about whether I’ve done enough to make the world a little better, whether I’ve helped enough people find their way through their own fires. I wonder if I’ve been honest enough if I’ve loved deeply enough, and if I’ve made the most of the time I’ve been given.
Life is complicated, messy, and full of contradictions. But it’s also beautiful, full of potential, and worth every bit of the struggle it demands. I’m no angel, and I’m no savior, but I’m someone who cares deeply about the people around me, who wants to leave the world better than I found it, and who is committed to walking through the fire, no matter how hot it gets, to achieve that goal.
So, when that final day comes, I’ll be ready to ask my questions, reflect on my journey, and accept whatever judgment is given to me. Until then, I’ll keep walking, keep striving, and keep doing my best to be a source of light in a world that often feels too dark. I may not have found the pearly gates yet, but I know that every step I take brings me closer to something greater, something worth all the pain, all the fire, and all the effort it takes to keep moving forward.
Stay disciplined. Stay resilient.
Jim Lunsford
P.S.
This post was inspired by Five Finger Death Punch’s song ‘Judgement Day.’
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Use of Artificial Intelligence: Jim Lunsford is committed to sharing authentic and meaningful content. To enhance the clarity and effectiveness of his writing, Jim utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool in the content creation process. While AI assists in organizing and refining his ideas, every thought, insight, and story shared on this website is genuinely his own. The use of AI does not alter the authenticity of his work; rather, it helps Jim communicate more effectively with you, his audience. Jim's goal remains to inspire, motivate, and connect, and AI is simply a tool that supports that mission.
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