"Let's show up to life. Let's prove how beautiful it can really be. Let's face the conflict, redeem it, conquer it, and allow it to mold our character. Let's participate in what God is doing in the world." - Donald Miller
Woody Allen once famously said: "Eighty percent of success in life is just showing up". Good point. I believe we may be able to bump that number up because if we choose not to even show up, then nothing happens, beauty is lost, relationships go stale, apathy oozes over our zeal and purpose and all things sort of just flop limply on life's lumpy and worn-out sofa...wasted.
But, by showing up we get to experience the moments that matter and then (like a cherry on top) also the sacred space between. The gorgeous and surprise nuances of a day. Like biting into a ripe summer plum and instead of quickly wiping away the juice, we let it roll leisurely down the chin's slope, feeling it drip off and onto its' next destined spot on the planet - into the waiting, open-mouthed earth for the unsuspecting ants below to enjoy the fruit's abundance also. All because we decided to attend the moment and savor it too. This life is to be lived, shared, and brimmed over in our gratitude for all the goodness it offers. And this takes showing up.
This can mean being faithful and ready for the big business meeting with the team, being front and center at our kid's plays and ballgames as their biggest fan and being ready and willing to take the phone call in the middle of dinner or favorite tv program from a friend in deep need. In other words, choosing to be fully present for what truly matters and to give it our all.
When God showed up to create the universe and every atom and molecule that makes it so incredible, He came to dazzle. To the void, He brought vast extravagance and glamour and variety beyond measure! The layers and textures and colors and sensations are too numerous for counting, too unimaginable for our feeble words to define. After each jaw dropping act, He called it "good". Indeed!
He taught us, His thoughtfully created ones, not only how to show up in life, but to do our days and things with greatness too, remembering:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23)
We are made in the image of the Creator Himself - the divine author and architect of all things great and small. He is perfect. We are not. However, thankfully, He never expects us to be perfect, but He does expect us to participate in the story, attempting to reflect Him as much as possible. We have agency to make our moments good or not, and our attitudes lovely or laden with pessimism and fear, sarcasm and spite. This is a conscious choice we must make.
I can pause and pray - offering grace before assuming the worst of another. I can choose to get clarity before I turn and slam the door on a relationship. I can choose better. I can lunge towards greatness too and hold on with all of my might. Only because the One I am fashioned after shows me how and what it is worth.
For God, excellence is His nature, but for me, honestly, it can seem unreachable at times. I wake up some mornings feeling totally incapable and feel way more wet blanket and much less wonder woman. However, when I look at all God has placed on my dish today to enjoy - I have no other choice, really, than to lift up my head and my hands in thanksgiving in remembrance of what I GET to do this day for the One I was created in and for:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Now, this changes everything. Lord, help me make my moments matter in what really counts and for who count on me to do so. God, You have perfectly designed distinct, personalized purpose into my days, hours, minutes, and seconds. I will show up. I will grow up...and into the person You created me to be. I may never be a cape-donning superhero, but I will do my very best to help bring goodness into my moments as You bring goodness to each and every thing.
Thank You for trusting me with this day in history's book, and mostly, Your story. I will participate in gladness and gratitude because You chose this day for me to live and love. Amen.