When I look at a sunset, it's as if I'm peering into the eyes of God: Piercing light and surging iridescence. Tainted eyes allow me to see a spark of God's full glory. Towering mountains remind me that I am only one life amongst the innumerable, a vapor quickly fading. Yet these same mountains awaken my heart to the greatness that I am a part of. It amazes me that I didn't choose to live, someone else chose that for me. I have the power to choose many things, but it was out of my control to choose to be born. Isn't that beautiful? The repetition of life pulses on. Decade after decade. Century after century. Constant moving motion; it is God's heartbeat propelling life.
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It's amazing how God can ignite the heart. Passion. Purpose. Life is worth living passionately. Really, I can't imagine how useless and boring life would be without it. Passion by definition is: “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.” So passion has the power to either compel love and goodness, or it can promote hatred. Which one will we be remembered for?
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When I think of passion, some of the big world changers come to mind: Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., or even the charities started by the wealthy. God used them to accomplish great things but it begins by being passionate about the little everyday things. Anyone can feel passionate about big things: sports, an award-winning book, politics, etc., but it is the little things that are often forgotten. Little things like a weekly visit to a nursing home, spending time with your siblings, giving someone a sympathy card, or making an effort to be friends with someone who has few. To care about the little things of life as if they were great causes, that is love, and that is beautiful.
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I'm a firm believer that God puts us where we are for a reason, to accomplish His purposes, in the little things of life. If I am at home, my purpose is to help and encourage my family. If I am at school, my purpose is to honor God by doing my best in school and by encouraging friends at school. We are called to do everything with excellence: Be a neighbor, with excellence. Be a mother, with excellence. Be a big sister, with excellence. Be a friend, with excellence. I know I don't do everything with excellence because it is so easy to find shortcuts and do things to just get by. But God is awakening me and giving me strength to change. It's the small things that I really see God at work in.
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I often wonder, if I did everything with as much passion as I have for traveling, writing, watching a football game, or making art, how might the world be different? How might my life and the lives of those around me be different? Even if it's just a little difference...it's better than nothing. Shouldn't it be worth a try?
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The most specific thing God has been teaching me, is that I'm free. Faith is freedom but many people never fully experience that freedom because we are too afraid to trust God. We are too afraid to jump! Instead, we live our faith in black and white. Complacent and comfortable, we miss the call. Our faith is supposed to be bursting with color and light! We are chromatic creations, and fully alive.
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So the next time you see a sunset, think of the honor we have to spread that color. Think of all the dark places that are in need of light...and don't be afraid to shine!
(This post was produced on a bumpy night train ride. As always, inspiration comes at odd times.)
Sincerely,
Maria
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