For Those Who Feel Deeply

This heart of mine feels things deeply, and falls in love with places and people far too easily- and here’s the messy deal, I've spent a few moments on this earth thinking this came with the labels "overzealous" and “too much.” Why is it so easy for us to take the gifts God has given us and mistake them for some kind of fault? Isn't that the enemy's greatest hope anyways.

   I haven't always been one of such zeal; I recently remembered this prayer I used to pray over and over again back when I was in college, and still relatively new to the whole Jesus thing. A plea to love better that sounded like,  “God give me a glimpse of the world through your eyes.” - a big prayer for a little human but I believed God's promise about making all things new.

He has moved this heart miles since then and I think somewhere along the way He’s injected some kind of crazy joy in those dry bones- the kind that can only be a reflection of who He is. And Joy gives new eyes into the happening world.

       Spend a few minutes with me and you’ll know pretty quickly that I get continually distracted in awe by this world around me; pulling over to get a better view of the sunset because there’s so much wonder packed in the sight of creation. Every golden hour, every mountain, every bright wild flower, and starry night sky, -all reminders that we are wildly loved.  And out of that Love we are able to give it back freely and unguarded to those around us- because honestly isn’t that what we’re all asking for anyways?

     I believe deeply that every beautiful thing was made just to wow us. And every person weaved into our story was made to be loved. It has all been made for us, and we’ve been made for each other- maybe with the hope that we would fall in love every single time we open our eyes. All of it is so much more than a feeling, and everyday we have the choice to be wide-eyed and seek these things out, to extend grace, and to believe there is beauty among the messy and the raw and the real because some how it’s always there. 

These days I see this exuberant heart as a gift, one that comes with the permission to love loud, permission to get just a little over-eager about anything, and the freedom to treat you like you’re the most interesting person I’ve met.

So if you feel something calling you to dance, or write a poem, shout “I love you” or even cry, do it boldly; because days will be hard and we need these moments. The great truth is that if we are truly made in the image of God- and I believe we are, we can never be “too much" or even claim "not enough." So to my friends whose insides often feel like exclamation marks, whose heart somersaults at every lovely thing, and whose anthem sounds a little bit like the chorus of Hoziers “Someone New” - WHAT A GIFT! I think God’s giving you glimpses of the world through His eyes. And even if you don't feel it, I pray that you would look for beauty in all of the places you doubt it is.  I bet He creates nature and us broken humans, and steps back each time and says, “that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever created, rejoice!” and rejoice we should!  Feel deeply friends, and out loud when you can, and be overzealous for the crazy fact that we even exist. Fight, fight, fight for love. Life is good and hard and grand and I’m amazed.  It’s a pleasure just to co-exists with you!

                                                                                -AV

"The wild, unrestricted love of God is not simply an inspiring idea. It affects what breaks your heart, what amazes you, and what makes your heart happy.”

- Brennan Manning