A message by Michael Furchert

Excerp from a speech given at a public college

Growing up behind the Berlin Wall we used to say: "In America they have Bob Hope, Stevy Wonder and Jonny Cash. In East Germany we have no hope, no wonder and no cash." Life was simple and humble. For my first camera I paid a year's salary. Here in America we go into a drug store, buy a camera with film, take the pictures, keep the film and throw the camera away. Life has become characterized by materialism, science and technology, we live in a wealth and waste society.

Yet with all this freedom, materialism, boosting economy, rapidly developing technology, promising opportunities for personal and financial success are the people of this country much happier? Are they more fulfilled? Have they found the last answers to their questions for the meaning and purpose of life? Have they found clear direction to know where to go in life? Have they filled the last gap of their heart and soul, satisfied their last longings and reached a point where they feel nothing else but a complete balance, total fulfillment and true peace in their hearts and lives...?

If so, why turn so many in this great country of freedom and liberty to anti-depressives, alcohol, drugs, violence..? Why are the prisons, the jails, the homes for troubled, hurting or abused people full, while the hearts of so many remain empty?

Growing up behind the Berlin Wall freedom was all I could gain. I believed people in freedom would live in peace and harmony, that they must have found true happiness and fulfillment. When I got to know this freedom, however, I wondered why things looked so different. I wondered why I found people that were hurting, hearts that were broken and empty, searching for answers, meaning and purpose. I wondered why I found people captives of their freedom, prisoners of their own choices and often unable to escape the unconsidered consequences. Can freedom be a challenge too? Can unlimited freedom without direction, morals and values lead people rather away from true peace and fulfilment of life? There must be something higher to fill the longing of our hearts and souls.

Behind the Berlin Wall I was deprieved of freedom and liberty. But I had freedom inside my heart that surpassed all, and that nobody could take away. Freedom in God. My government, however, taught a life apart from God. But it did not take long before it crashed, leaving only ruins and rubbles. I for myself needed to put my trust and faith into something higher than human standards und understanding, politics or intellect, science or technology .

I needed to follow something higher and build my life on something stronger and firmer than a foundation that would soone or later collaps under my feet. And while others were still searching for their hope, wonder and cash, I became convinced that true peace, fulfillmet and freedom could only be found in the word of God.