Living and Fear

Recently the books on my shelf made way to my night stand and moseyed their way into my bag. I have been reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller and if you have not yet read it, do so! I’ve copied quotes and whispered the sweet word yes on my train rides.

In it he talks about meeting Bob Goff, author of Love Does, before Bob put his ideas to paper. Naturally, I picked that book up at the store. In it he writes his anthem of living life, which is truly a series of stories weaved together to make a collective point: Love does.

Aside from trying to convince you to read these great books, I have been thinking that life is meant to be lived with us taking on the role of main character in the story of our lives.

Before the ‘duhs’ and thoughts come pouring out, let me explain. I love reading. I love hearing stories ranging from personal triumph to God’s redemption to pursuing love. Yet, reading them is a lot easier than living them.

 Lake Front

Living life takes work and effort. It means not always plopping on the couch to scroll through Netflix or having the TV on in the background. It might mean getting up early or staying up late to be present with others. And not solely physically there while on phones or thinking about other things, like work, family or friends. Being present-body AND mind.

I fear not living my life. Stories complete the questions, give resolution, map out the path. Stories inspire and drive me to want to do better. To make something of my life. But it’s a want not an action.

Power comes in action. Moving to Chicago for this internship was just an idea, a mark on my calendar with ideas in my head. Until I packed those bags and came, though, it was just an idea, not a moment.

How many moments of life go unlived?

How many thoughts of what it should be remain imagined rather than reality?

I am learning the thing holding my moments back is fear. Fear of failure, rejection, hardship certainly. But how often do we overlook fear of success? Fear of the unknown-regardless of the outcomes.

Here’s the thing about fear.

Fear is not for us.

 Millenium Park

God makes it clear to fear not for He is with us (Joshua 1:9). The truth I am learning about this is fear isn’t designed for us and we weren’t designed for it. So why do I spend so much time trying to overcome it rather than stepping aside so God can do what He is designed to do?

What would happen if we stopped living in fear? If instead of throwing caution to the wind, we threw our desires, dreams and hopes on the table to be exposed? To see the light of day without fear of anything, just honesty in the desires of our hearts. To live in the world instead of our heads.

 Millenium Park

What if these ideas moved. Breathed life. Became present.