“Let’s find the wow.” I was thinking about what I hope to leave behind to my family and friends, and how I hope to be remembered. I realize how short this life journey really is. And how little time I have left to leave behind something of worth and value. For me, it looks and feels a lot like just the outward flow of WHO I am.
This is birthed and given through the things that I write. Daily social media posts, films, blogs, books. And of course offering my prayers (of which are stored in heaven with my bottles of tears.) “This is what the Lord says, Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strength of their strength or the rich boast of their riches. But let the one who boasts boast about THIS – that they have the understanding to know ME.” (Jeremiah 9:23) THIS is what I am able to boast of. Jesus! I KNOW HIM!
Find The Wow: What We Leave Behind
We can all look at our accomplishments or successes and hope that they matter in the bigger picture. I hope when I get to heaven there are people there because of me. Maybe I witnessed to them on the street when I was a teenager, or they heard me give a speech on the Jesus Revolution in high school. Or I taught them in Sunday School. Perhaps I had them in a music class. Or they watched a film I helped produce or read a blog I wrote.
All the little parts of who we were along the way, are the same parts we leave behind.
How I would feel to meet any of those people would be, “WOW! Really?” I would be humbled and honored and shocked.
I realize I want to feel the wow NOW. Getting to heaven and seeing all the pieces fit, and the people who made it because of me, THAT is when I finally get it? Why can’t I capture the essence of that NOW? And why can’t I find that WOW factor while I am doing it? Why can’t I more intentionally embrace my journey with the joy and wonder of my purpose? I am rather exhausted by my own insecurities and fears.
I don’t want to just show up in heaven and be like, “Really?” If I had known that THAT mattered that much, I would have done it sooner. And I would have done it more. Perhaps I would have given my all. I don’t want to just exist here with that Eeyore attitude. “Oh well, it will probably rain anyway. Always does.” NO! I want to embrace the RAIN and dance IN it. And see what God can do with that rainstorm.
Daily Making A Difference
I want to use my daily opportunities to be a history maker and a life changer. Instead of seeing the glass of my ordinary day as half empty, I want to be like – OHHHHHHH LOOK! I still have HALF a glass left! I think this is what I have been missing. To not be consumed by the messes and the failures and the unanswered questions. And the ongoing struggles. But instead to embrace the wonder and mystery of the unknown lying in wait to be uncovered.
This really is what childlike faith LOOKS like. Think about how a child sees things. Exactly. THAT is how we need to view life. Where anything is possible and probably will show up in some unexpected and possibly upside-down form. But possible, nonetheless. I don’t want my ducks in a perfect row. But rather, I just want to appreciate them however they show up. I also want to take a second look before I panic.
Maybe a fifth look. I so do NOT want to miss a thing. I want all the wows NOW. This is a mysterious call we can each answer. To say YES to the unveiling of pain to purpose, as we use up ourselves to save others. What an honor and privilege.
Live With Intention
How about we give our all EVERY day? How about every single thing we do is offered with the WOW of what God can and will do with it? In addition, how about we feel WOWED just to get another chance to change a life? Or maybe to change history? How about we live in the light of eternity, instead of just waiting to get there? And finally, how about if we get EXCITED to give away our greatest gift, Jesus?
“God has made all things beautiful in their time, and He has set eternity IN our hearts.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We are eternal beings and our hearts should be set on lock mode right into the here and after. Instead of being awed by what awaits us there, let’s plan for it! Let’s take risks and step up to action and take the road less traveled. If you (like me) are a blog writer, write blogs to change the world and to change generations yet to come. Purposely leave your mark. Look for a crack from which to shine light through.
Find The Wow
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
But how do we find the wow? Let’s purposefully and intentionally live in the light of eternity, ready to fully live here. And then just transition there knowing we gave our all on this all too brief journey.
Let’s find the WOW, NOW!
