Coming to Life

I find myself, once again, drawn to Howard Thurman's quote "Don't ask yourself what the world needs.  Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  I've been trying to imagine what it would be like to devote myself almost completely to those things that I am passionate about.  So first, I had to come up with a list of those things that make me come alive.

First and foremost, is my faith in and love for the Lord.  Without having Him as the primary relationship in my life, all of the others would not hold the joy, fullfilment and life that they carry.  You might say that my love and passion for Him is what drives all of my other passions.  Secondly, of course, is my family.  No matter what I am busy doing throughout my day, my thoughts are never far from my husband and children and the other members of my family.  With each passing year, they seem to grow more and more precious to me.  I can't imagine life without them.

I think in some form or fashion, these first two things that make me come alive, are basically the same for everyone.  It is from there that I continue my list of things to which, if I could, I would devote the bulk of my time and energy.

First and foremost would be my writing.  When I write, it is because I feel that the Lord has put something on my heart and I have an intense drive to write whatever it is down and share it with others.  I know that the Lord uses my writing to touch others with His love and wisdom.  I can't just sit down and write for the sake of writing.  That is why you will notice that there are times when I don't write for a month or so and then other times that I write three posts in a week.  I want the Lord to use me as a vessel to pour Himself through, so that others feel valued and precious.  Writing makes me come alive!

My next passion is my photography.  I have no desire to shoot professional portraits, but instead, to take pictures of nature.  One of the ways God touches me is through His handiwork.  I see beauty in the oranges, yellows and reds of fall, the whites of winter, and the colorful flowers of spring and summer.  Some of my favorite object to photograph are leaves and water.   Photographs tell powerful stories and evoke strong emotions without ever saying a word.    Photography makes me come alive.

My passion for nature photography leads me to my next love, which is gardening.  My garden includes flowers, vegetables and herbs.  I find myself needing to be surrounding by plant life.  You will find fresh flowers in my house no matter what time of year it is.  Luckily I have a wonderful husband who brings me flowers all winter long.  Nature and gardening makes me come alive.

I am slowling moving towards giving more of my time to these passions.  As I do that, I will feel more and more alive, therefore, becoming a brighter light to the world around me.  Do you know what makes you come alive?  Are there things that you do, that when you are doing them, you feel like you are touching the world around you.  It doesn't have to be in a big showy way...just a quiet knowing that you are having an influence right where you are.

I would challenge you to spend some time thinking about what makes you come alive.  Once you realize what that is, you can begin to figure out ways to have that take up more of your time and thoughts.  Then...go do THAT!  You will find an overwhelming sense of peace, joy and fulfillment.  That's what I'm doing!