After these last two years of constant changes and unanswered questions, I’ve been craving rhythms I can settle into and wrap around myself. I want weekly coffee dates and Tuesday taco nights. I want to live a life full of Sunday morning pancakes before church and days that are bookended by walking and reading.
The life that I want to live is wild-hearted and wholly enjoyable. I want it overflowing with rich conversations, hearty food, and spontaneous dance parties. I want to wake up with the sun on my face and go to bed with the stars in my heart. I’m tired of settling. I’m done letting society set the rules for my life. I want a life that leaves my hair messy, hands dirty, and heart full. My favourite people are the ones who have a lifetime full of stories to tell, and I want to be one of those people.
This kind of life can only be cultivated, it can’t be bought, and it doesn’t come prepackaged. It takes work, dedication, and the ability to make mistakes and ask for forgiveness a thousand times a day. It’s the kind of life that can only come from a heart that is content in the Lord because that’s where absolute freedom is found. We could search the world over, homestead and run through the forest to our heart’s content. Still, unless we have our roots firmly planted in Christ, we will always feel like we’re lacking.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
John 15:4-6 ESV
Creating a life that matters starts with having a relationship with the one who matters, Jesus. Without Him, all our attempts to live a life free from shame and fear are futile. The Bible repeatedly tells us that how we live will determine what kind of fruit we bear (Deuteronomy 29:18, Proverbs 12:12, Matthew 3:8-10, Matthew 7:17-19, Mark 4:20, John 15, and many more). If we live for the world, constantly tossed about its whims and ensnared by its pleasures, we will produce rotten fruit. However, if we live with Christ and His love at the forefront of our minds, if we try to honour Him with our actions and words, our fruit will be lovely. And that kind of fruit will not only enhance our lives, but it’ll enrich the lives of those around us.
I still want to live a life of rhythm, a life that flows easily and peacefully from day to day. But I don’t want to try to create that peace out of thin air by sheer force of will. I want it to come from the deep wellspring of peace only found in communion and connection with Christ. The wholly enjoyable and wild-hearted life I want to live can only be found through surrender. Surrendering my hopes and dreams to the Lord, knowing that He’s going to take them and do far more wonderous things with them than I ever could. And in that surrender is where freedom is found. Will you join me?
Simply Katherina 