Waking and Becoming?

I recently answered the question, “Where did you start to form the idea of who you are?”

Great question, suppose this question presents itself to you? Where would you begin your answer?

Some might say, “In the beginning, we form in our mother’s womb. Then ultimately grow into a person somewhat molded by those family members, friends, and experiences surrounding us. We developed into the person we are to become.”

Given a chance to answer this question, this may or may not be where you would claim your start. All of the preceding comments are true and very important to the person you are. However, in retrospect, it's not nearly as important as the awareness of your real purpose.

Your purpose is the design directed by someone far more significant than anyone or thing you could imagine, which has nothing at all to do with you or them.

From the experience of an unexpected shift, we often learn when life switches things up, one must trust in God and His plan for your life. Relying on any other answers or direction becomes secondary when you come to know Him. Even in your chaos, as that is when He makes the most sense when nothing else does!

When you seek Him first, these shifts begin to have greater clarity. It’s more common for people to find God when in distress rather than when experiencing prosperity. This discernment of seeking God first, in all circumstances, may not be present in the immediacy. Still, if you remain steadfast, then through observance, the presentation of the Holy Spirit may come through in your stillness.

These whispers can present themselves through others or in the quiet of your own heart. When you come to a point in life where you claim your trust and belief in God as your soul Director, you claim that His plan guides the formation of whom you are and who you are to become.

This transformation in life toward belief in a benevolent God is then the answer to the question, “Where do you start to form the idea of who you are?” When you allow yourself a remodeling of sorts, you are well on your way to a more authentic understanding of your life’s purpose and that idea of “who am I?”

This answer would most probably be congruent with asking Christ into your heart and then believing in Him, then following Him as a way of life.

When making this decision on your own, with a desire to know more, the afterthought is seeking what it truly means to become a follower of Christ. Once you choose, this allows for new infancy, and everything becomes exciting as you are made fresh.

This infancy has different points of its beginning. For some, it starts quite early in life, and then it may be in a holding pattern until they are nudged back on the course. For others, it may begin with a defining moment, perhaps in one of those many life shifts.

This newness of becoming a follower of Christ presents itself with great joy and, in some ways, a euphoria that is so plentiful and overwhelming.

There are recognizable differences, and each day you learn a little more about who you are and who you will become in your new life with Christ at the center. You may not have known your Father in Heaven, but He is quite approachable and attainable, and He knows you. You need only close your eyes and speak from your heart, as you would to a parent or, more importantly, a friend.

The difficulty in choosing this path of following Christ is that life will continue to happen. It will persist and at times shake you to the core, but now you are never alone.

Life itself will nudge at you and try to kick you off your path as a follower literally. Regardless of how many are walking with you, it's your walk and heart that must stay on point. You will need to hold fast to that moment of light and revelation of Christ entering your heart.

There will be days when your view will diminish because once you walk in this light, there will always be something trying to put it out or take it from you. You must protect it and fuel. When beginning, it may be like walking with a single birthday candle in the wind.

No worries, just like your physical awareness of growth and maturity, the flames will become more significant, so much easier to carry once given some time. Your spiritual growth will begin to unfold. Others will come to you to help you shield that flame, and the Holy Spirit will guide you toward them.

Ultimately, your heart is His, and God will protect it with the nurturing and firmness of a loving and welcoming home.

Trying to learn to love the moments in life is challenging but satisfying. Every day when you meet someone new, you can learn a bit about him or her. It will now be necessary as a follower of Christ to be the one who shares this light with others.

Allowing God to use, you can create the euphoric feeling you felt the first time you accepted His invitation, and in time, it will be all you need. Now, this does not mean you will become some nerdy silhouette of yourself. It does not say you will not have varying opinions and passionate conversations on severe and humorous issues. It does not mean you become a clone of someone else’s relationship with Christ. It says you are ready. Ready to become who God has planned for you to be. He will use your joys and sorrows, talents, and weaknesses; to use for the glorification of God.

Our human reality disconnects us daily or hourly in the realization that it’s just not about us. This reality can even seem hurtful, but your reward for this choice will come in eternity.

Wakefulness is a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world. Are we aware? I mean genuinely mindful of our society and its influences and informed that the world infects by life’s trials and devastation in some places. So often, we are in our state of chaos or joy. Whether we are experiencing positive stress or negative, we may find it difficult to appreciate our state of mere wakefulness. So many amazing things are happening the instant when we awake from slumber. First, there is an acknowledgment of your breath and the fact that you are inhaling and exhaling. Depending on the particular events before this slumber, there may be defining factors affecting your next moment of wakefulness. But before we go there, stop for a second and go back to that first thought. If nothing could distract you from it, what might be your next image or idea? Would you be thankful and excited for the day, eager to see what is to come? At the same time, could we be taking for granted the gift of waking?

Perhaps your sleep limits due to some factor? The list of external triggers could go on forever. No matter the distractions, the truth remains that wakefulness is awareness of life’s breath, the mere acknowledgment that for whatever reason you still are present in your flesh, you are here for a reason.

What if that reason has nothing to do with you? What if the only reason you were allowed your wakefulness today was for the benefit of someone else’s walk or need? Perhaps you’re to comfort someone, treat someone with kindness, maybe you’re to be firm with someone and help him or her to see they stray from a path and need a little nudge? What if the reason you awake this day is that you have yet to learn something so important to the reality of what God wants you to become? What if God is just not finished using you for His glory?

When you wake up as a follower and say, “God, what do you have in store for me today, and with whom would you have me connect. Then you may be able to answer, “When did you realize who you were to become for God’s glory?” Perhaps that answer will not come while you are here, but rather in a paradise far beyond your imagination.

Don’t look to others for the walk you desire, for no two will ever be the same. You’re not higher than the God you will one-day meet. You are but a man or woman. So, judge less, often love, care, and allow your imperfections! While seeking always to have an open heart to learn more about Jesus!