Stepping out of complacency and into a world of the unknown is a freeing step. Scary for sure as you step beyond the familiar, but freeing nevertheless.
Are you longing to be free?
Then step outside your comfort zone. Come on – it’s exhilarating! Let life breathe something new within you.
The freeing feeling many are looking for will be found stepping outside their comfort zone and into the messy and hurting. Living among the messy my eyes are no longer drawn to myself looking for my own “purpose” and life’s calling, rather my soul is opened to meaning and a hurt that makes me come alive.
Life’s meaning can be gathered by helping others and serving them in their place of need. It’s a treasure to see more in others than they can see in themselves. A precious gift awaits you if you will but step outside of “normal” and see the world in a new way.
I freakishly envisioned life’s purpose as big and comfortable with a huge helping of happiness on the side. But the day I grew tired of the complacent and stepped into the world of unknown to serve and help those who were unknown, I knew it wasn’t about a life of being big or comfortable any longer. Meaning was found in the small and uncomfortable.
Step into the world of the unknown to serve and help those that are unknown.” <—-Tweet that here!
What I didn’t realize was that when you fall in love with a broken world you become vulnerable. Vulnerable to be hurt and crushed. I’m reminded of a quote from Jeff Goins new book to released August 1st,
“It’s hard to get your heart broken on the couch.” (Tweet)
Maybe you’ve been there:
-you comfort a teenager whose surprise pregnancy ends in abortion
-you lend money to a couple for help only to realize you have enabled their drug problem
-you discipline your strong-willed child only to see them return to the same behavior
Sometimes it can be frustrating, but underneath the frustration is a blue like jazz feeling. Not just a feeling that mellows the heart, but a hurt that makes your heart wonder if being broken for others worth it.
Being broken for others is hard.
I want to see clean success stories – from rags to riches, from the streets to the skylines. But what I now know is that true purpose and meaning is not clean, it is mostly messy. It’s about getting dirty daily with those who are broken, down-and-out, frustrated, depressed, and struggling to find their way. It is about getting dirty so they can become clean.
Oh this sweet purpose that awakens and makes your soul cry out will pound on your heart until it breaks. However, in the breaking your heart becomes so full of life that joy will oozes out of the broken places. Such a bitter-sweet journey.
Living life with meaning hurts sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I feel alive.
Have you ever poured yourself into others only to have your heart broken?
Did you want to give up or did it strengthen your convictions?
I have poured myself into others only to be crushed later. It is really hard to reopen myself up…but I try.
It is hard to be vulnerable again after we’ve been hurt. But girl – let’s hold each other accountable to do just that. Not just so that we can help others, but so that we don’t miss out on more blessings that God has in store for us as we love on his peeps! Great truth here — thanks.
Oh how I know this now–and am striving to live it! I have to confess to you, I had not been showing or really offering my blog to my childhood friends. Mainly because I was afraid they would misinterpret and run off without me being able to chat with them face-to-face about how God pursued me and won my whole heart in my college years.
But I started listening to God. And sharing my story. Starting with the last post I just did. I posted it on my personal facebook. sure I lost some “friends” but I gained more personal emails from others asking for more. And have never felt at such peace! Praise God. He is so good I can hardly stand it!
That is so scary girl to show the truth of your life now to those you knew back when. . . I’m sure your friends would be blessed by your blog and your words. They are full of peace and no matter who you are or what you believe Peace is always needed. Thanks for sharing your God-story. Can’t wait to hear more stories and revelations.
positively wonderful. Thanks for this.
“…in the breaking your heart becomes so full of life that joy will oozes out of the broken places.” Yes, this, and this. “It is about getting dirty so they can become clean.”
This is my heart, has always been my heart. I know God is opening doors for us, as a family, to do ministry – again! You will be the first person I will come running to, to tell all about it!!
I love you and your heart Alene!!!