In case you weren’t aware, everyone’s heart needs to beat. SURPRISE! Some aspects of a heart beat are bigger, some are smaller, but they’re always necessary. Sometimes the beats themselves are spread out and other times they’re really close together. However, the fact remains that you have to have each individual beat-without a heart beat you don’t have life. Each part of the heartbeat is significant. Without each aspect of each individual beat in its specific spot, the heart wouldn’t work properly.
Life is constantly in motion. Things can change in a heartbeat (see what I did there 
) but what I’ve been learning is that each season of life, similar to a heart beat, are important. You can’t skip a part just because it’s uncomfortable, boring, or too much. There’s an aspect in a heartbeat where the heart is considered isoelectric, meaning it doesn’t have or involve any net electric charge or difference in electrical potential. This specific aspect is designed so the heart can recharge and prepare for the next surge of electricity.
Right now I’m in that recharging time–I’m in that space where I’m preparing for the next surge of electricity that will contract the muscles of my heart and result in an out flowing of God’s love and presence around the world. The tendency I’m finding in myself is that I feel like life would be so much easier, so much more exciting, and so much more worthwhile while in the contracting phase of life. Being in exotic places, telling about how a Satanist heard the voice of the Lord and surrendered his life to Jesus (http://updates.theworldrace.org/?filename=from-satanism-to-jesus), telling about how we got to swim with sharks in South Africa, Bungee Jump over the Nile, or catch a glimpse of Mount Everest. And while these things are headline worthy, the things that catch people’s attention, I’m learning, and re-learning over and over again how to be present, how to live a life that catches God’s attention and are just as worthy of making the headlines.
My heart hasn’t stopped beating in this time. It’s still longing to gush out Jesus’ love. It’s still working on being the hands, feet, and voice for Jesus. Most people think of this time before I leave as boring in comparison to what I get to do in January, but it’s just as exciting, just as full of possibility and opportunity.
I’m missing the point that living an extraordinary life starts from choosing life in the times of bland and “ordinary” life.
My squad had an incredible opportunity to set apart 21 days of fasting to focus our attention on God, learning to hunger and thirst for His righteousness instead of meeting our wants. Our fast entailed eating only fruits, veggies, and whole grains. For the past three weeks I ate a “less exciting” array of foods, didn’t have any “sweet” treats, and lived without the extra stimulant of caffeine. Yet I would venture to say that I experienced a different kind of richness and fulfillment than I have before. It was a time of recharging, refocusing, and it parallels the time I’m going through leading up to launch.
Yes, this season of my life is lacking the sweetness of being able to see some of the seven wonders of the world, cuddling with baby tigers, and taking bossy Instagrams; however, I still have the opportunity to ultimately see people really understand and acknowledge the supremacy and immense love of Daddy God in my day to day life. During my time of fasting I got the opportunity see my brokenness and weakness in order to see God’s contrasting desire to lead me into an extraordinary life no matter what cycle of life I find myself.
Maya Angelou:
“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Ps. This week is your last chance to order a shirt! I’m putting the order in Friday 🙂
