Ardor
It is a very beautiful day here in Kirkland! Spring break is officially here and there is only a track meet tomorrow (for which I am excited to run in) between me and my wonderful, wonderful family! I just cleaned the kitchen in my tiny apartment and opened all the windows. I am feeling very happy and content listening to Noah and the Whale with the sun shining brightly outside : ) This is one of those small moments it will do me well to remember for a time later when life seems a little more grey. I'm also going to Teriyaki Madness soon with a couple of my good friends! It's right down the street, walking distance . . . haha normally I would drive, anyway, but this beautiful day cannot be wasted! Anyway, the point I have not gotten to yet is that I was feeling as though God deserved my praise, but I was (I admit) not wanting to sit quietly in prayer. I wanted to write something, instead. Then it dawned on me, a very obvious thing. Writing IS praise to God. The divine can be seen in everything, really - God's grace and beauty. When we go about our daily lives talking to people, seeing things, doing things...we aren't just a body mechanically encountering different events. We are made in God's image and we are able to engage and interact with LIFE, with creation, people, and the movings of the Holy Spirit. And participating in life with Christ at the forefront, even writing, is praise to God. Finding passion in the world, even menial things, is giving praise and thanks to God.
It sounds odd to say it, but passion and intentional living are what lets us know that we are alive! I mean you would think we would know if we were alive or not, but it is not always something we are aware of as much as we should be. And we are able to find ardor...yes ardor...in even the day to day things. I am reading a book in one of my classes called "A Defense of Ardor" by Adam Zagajewski. The title speaks for itself, but basically he challenges society's lack of ardor nowadays. There are things to be passionate about in life, things that have eternal and aesthetic value. Zagajewski defines ardor as this: "the earth's fervent song, which we answer with our own imperfect song". What do you find ardor in? Where do you see God closest? Is it running, poetry, music, friends, the forest? I encourage you not to hesitate to think about that, embrace those things, and LIVE. Live for God, rest in Him, be enthusiastic for what He has made and done, and know that there is passion and joy to be had. Don't be a robot. Clap your hands, smile - we are free to run and free to dance in Christ!
It sounds odd to say it, but passion and intentional living are what lets us know that we are alive! I mean you would think we would know if we were alive or not, but it is not always something we are aware of as much as we should be. And we are able to find ardor...yes ardor...in even the day to day things. I am reading a book in one of my classes called "A Defense of Ardor" by Adam Zagajewski. The title speaks for itself, but basically he challenges society's lack of ardor nowadays. There are things to be passionate about in life, things that have eternal and aesthetic value. Zagajewski defines ardor as this: "the earth's fervent song, which we answer with our own imperfect song". What do you find ardor in? Where do you see God closest? Is it running, poetry, music, friends, the forest? I encourage you not to hesitate to think about that, embrace those things, and LIVE. Live for God, rest in Him, be enthusiastic for what He has made and done, and know that there is passion and joy to be had. Don't be a robot. Clap your hands, smile - we are free to run and free to dance in Christ!
Comments
Post a Comment