This image made me giggle. Randy and Jennifer both know it describes Matthew and I well. Dad was the same way. If we sit down unsupervised, we will fall asleep. It reflects how we grew up. You can stay up as late as you want, but morning will come early and you had better be ready for the day. We were born to be wild, as long as it does not require staying up late.
If you have spent any time observing Mother Nature, you will note that instinct is strong. God designed it that way for survival. In the wild, when something acts outside of the natural order, these are the places we might find wonder and even miracles.
Nature is wild, wacky, and wonderful.
God designed us a little differently. Where nature is programmed to act in ways that promote survival, we have the ability to step outside of our human nature. I am in awe of the differences in humans. That God breath... I've come to think of it as our "soul breath"... means we are different. We are miracles of His forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
We have to recognize our "wildness." We can choose to act outside of what we want to do. Humans can resist natural impulses and choose to act with love, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, peace, joy, faithfulness, and self-control. These things are not completely in our nature.
To practice them in tandem and consistently is evidence of the Holy Spirit bearing fruit.
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" -Galatians 5:22-23
We were created for relationships. We need them. A life lived for Him is far from boring. We will be tempted, tested, and tried at times. Keep pressing on and into His plan and His purpose. It might be a wild ride, but do not be afraid. You were born for such a time as this... and so was I.
Take heart. Chin up. Straighten your crown. Paul, Peter, Silas, and so many others in chains for Christ discovered that their freedom was literally in Christ. This world could not steal it. Their joy could not be contained and it amplified their testimony.
Wild looks different in the fifth decade of my life. Embrace whatever "wild" season you are in today. It might be a new marriage, a new baby, toddlers, teenagers, being a widow or widower, high school graduation, a new job, a new cancer diagnosis, or retirement. Whatever your season, step into it with the knowledge that you were born for this.
Today, I am grateful we were born to be wild.
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