Big Thoughts | Joy for the Journey

Are you prepared to think some big thoughts this week?

Are you ready to walk with me through gargantuan, philosophical meanderings?

Just thought that I should offer you a fair warning …

So … some of you might want to read someone’s political opinion … or look for a yummy recipe … or “like” some cute baby pictures on social media.

But for those of you who are brave enough to stay and think with me … you might want to first fix a cup of coffee for yourself with lots of sugar … then clear your brain … now … take a cleansing breath … and finally … prepare to be stretched.

O.K. … here we go … let’s dip our toes into the pool of philosophical theology.

What is life, anyway?

What is life made of?

What makes life worth living?

What makes life worth celebrating?

What makes life worth experiencing?

What is the substance of life? 

Would you lean in and listen while I share with you my thoughts on the topic?

My philosophical input, as always, is birthed from my belief system.

Because I know God … and I know His heart and His ways … this, then, is what I know to be true about this one amazing, extraordinary life that He has given to each one of us!

Life is not primarily composed of the “red-letter” days of one’s existence.

Life ~ at its precious core ~ is not embodied by championship wins … or with trips to far-way and exotic places … or on that momentous day you give birth to a precious baby.

Life is not built upon the bedrock of sweet weddings and somber funerals … of celebratory graduations and long-awaited promotions … or of stellar awards and sparkling achievements.

Life is gloriously created by the ordinary.

The ordinary moments … are the building blocks of a grand life.

The common experiences … constitute the DNA of an extraordinary life.

The simple stuff … of yesterday, today and tomorrow … lay the foundation of all that is memorable and magnificent.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –

Mary Oliver

Think about it for a minute …

Life is likely made up of the hours of teamwork and days of sweat that a championship experience requires.

Life is crafted by the dreams … the financial discipline … and the planning that take place long before traveling to a far-away place.

Life is not just giving birth to a child … but it is raising that child to be healthy both emotionally and spiritually. It is praying for the child through every long night. And it is loving that little person unconditionally with every ounce of fervor that a mom or dad possesses.

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 – 13

That’s life!

Life is not defined by your one wedding day, lavish with flowers, photographers and cake … but life is cultivated by every day that follows as you choose to build a great marriage. Anyone can plan a spectacular wedding … but it takes a person of honor and valor to give his or her heart to a truly great marriage.

Life ~ in its bedrock ~ has little to do with graduation pomp but has everything to do with learning … growing … studying … self-discipline.

A promotion doesn’t build a grand life … but it is the meaningful relationships that are cultivated on the way to success that enable a man or woman to significantly achieve that which is most worthy.

There is no award and certainly no achievement that will deliver a life of eternal meaning … but the choice to cheer for others and the determinate to live a humble life is what a lasting legacy is made of intrinsically.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 

Life … in all of its splendor … is built one delightful day at a time!

It is on those brief days … that are swallowed up by weeks … that are hidden in months … that are overtaken by years … when nothing important has happened when a person’s true character is revealed.

“We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing- that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.” – Oswald Chambers

The revelation of what an ordinary day uncovers is a full life in all of its intended glory.

If you can live with gusto on a common day … you have won the lottery, my friend! You are rich, indeed!

So build well … build with intention … and build with joy.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings … turn routine jobs into joy … and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – W. A. Ward

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!