our lives

I am resisting the feeling that everything is about to happen.

That all of this is preparation.

It's tempting to live a life of anticipation. Getting ready for what comes next, which leads to making arrangements, adjusting to transitions... setting new goals.

I catch myself thinking, "I'm almost ready".

"If only it was two years from now, three hours from now, two weeks from now..."

But this is not how we are supposed to live.

What comes next is simply what comes next. In the grand scheme of things, the purpose of our lives is to live them. To glorify God with what we do and say and how we use what He gives us. What we make and find and discover and bring to His feet. He does not hang in suspension over us, holding His breath, waiting for the next climactic scene.

Because He is here now. In every little thing you do - He is not pushing you towards a single life goal or an isolated purpose. He is pulling you closer to Him. Filling you with His son. Because that is why we exist.

We are vessels.

Not empty vessels.

Not vessels gathering dust on the shelves, waiting to be used.

We are being filled.

And we pour out.

To be filled again should be our great desire.

The Father is creative enough, delighted enough with us, to pay attention to the smaller details of our individual lives. He gave us gifts and desires, but there is a gap between these two things. Which is why we must grow. Stretch - reach out.

But the story, as Don puts it, isn't about reaching your goal.

It isn't about getting married.

Or moving to Africa.

Or finishing your degree.

Or buying a house.

Or having children.

Those actions, accomplishments, and promises in and of themselves do not make your life.

By living our lives in constant anticipation of what lies ahead, we are being somewhat robbed of our story.

Because our story is being told right now.

In this moment, you are living. In fact part of living is stretching. Stories never progress without reaching out, without forward motion, without movement, without hope or fear or loss or joy.

We just fall into this unhealthy habit of assuming life starts "when"...

Instead, we should move forward. Step out. Pray for courage and for open eyes. And realize that in the end, you'll want to tell about the journey.

You'll want to tell about how you got here - there. Where you are.

Because it was your life.