Life's Calling is Larger-Than-Life

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of other's opinion drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes...the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules...  You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things...they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Steve Jobs

          Ever since I was a wee little lad, I always knew what I wanted to accomplish out of life.  Have I succeeded thus far?  Who knows, but I consider the answer to that specific question not subject to true measurement and dependent upon the perception of who is asked.  Certainly I have gained life experience beyond most people my age: things I've done, places I've been, and people I've met.  Most of this so-called life experience was peripheral, life skills not initially sought after or wanted but what would prove invaluable later on.  These experiences were sown, cultivated, and brought forth to blossom in fruitfulness while living in the valley of despair, or the valley of the shadow of death according to Psalm 23.  (These were the result of facing the consequences of my own poor behavior and choices.)  While life has taken its detour, I have discovered it was the exact path God had fore-ordained for me to follow: shaping and molding me to come into my own with the spirit-filled gifts he has bestowed upon me.  One such gift is discernment, this inner-vibe which allows me to see through situations and people's intentions and motives.  For this I am grateful and would not change my life lived thus far for anything in the world.

          Now as a 41 year old man, I often don't feel the same energy and drive I had in the days of my youth.  However, I must say I am smarter, keener, and more cunning in my intellectual and mental faculties than the person I was ten to twenty years ago.  On more than one occasion, someone has and will remark(-ed) I am a true Renaissance Man, truly larger-than-life, and will ask what my secret is.  Quick to respond, I simply state there is no secret.  I refuse to accept other people's plan for my life.  In addition, "No!" is not in my vocabulary.  (The word "no" in this case does not reference respect for someone else's personal boundaries and well-being, but is applied in regard to believing the sky is not the limit.  I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13)  The words "can not" indicate an innate inability to perform a task, a dream or vision for life, or a specific goal at-hand.  To have a mission or task labeled impossible is to reveal the person's very nature and heart, and that is the sad state of resigning oneself to small-thinking and bland living.  Therefore, I daily and for the long-term cast a vision for my life which is riddled with challenges and of which many would say is too difficult.  Growth is not easy.  What fun is performing a task which is too easy or child-like in nature?  To live larger-than-life is to transcend the confines of what this world says is acceptable, meaning "don't rock the boat."  How many times did Edison work on his light bulb before he encountered success?  The same question may be posed of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk.  People mock me personally upon discovering my passions in life saying I can't make a career or livelihood out of it, there is simply no money in it.  I must be true to myself.  If I follow my passions and the very things in life God has gifted me for, success and true wealth will follow.  (Notice I didn't say money will follow, but true wealth.)  Others tell me all I can do with my passions is teach.  Did I announce an intention to follow a pre-charted course?  I will make my own path, taking a journey in to the great unknown experiencing adventure and ecstasy.  Are you willing and daring enough to march to the beat of your own drum or that of a different drummer?  Cut the strings the Lilliputians are using to hold you down.  Your are Gulliver, a true giant.  Live as one!