Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Active Learning











These last couple months of summer have been full of life, in a way I'm just starting to adapt to-- active learning. I'm an introspective person, and for years my struggle has been to get out of the visionary realm of my mind + heart, and into my body + actions. To dial the phone number, write the email, make the ask, or express the idea has always been secondary for me. Processing ideas and understanding first, actions, plans and conversations later. 

I did a lot of growing in my early 20's, emotional and spiritual growth, learning how to become a "health focused", self observing individual, and at about 23 I hit that stride. Not a stride of perfection or ease, but a stride of endurance. In the four years since then, I've moved on to wrestle with something else entirely: vocational ownership. Though we may each encounter different areas of growth in different orders, at different times in life, I believe that we are always learning something new about how to function within ourselves, in relation to God, and in this world. We are works in progress, if we choose to progress at all.

From what I can tell, the secret to vocational ownership is a combination of self awareness and action. I think it's safe to say that people are usually strong in one of these areas and weak in the other, only achieving balance over time and hard knocks.  This summer I've seen the first fruits of that balance in so many ways, both exciting and scary (sometimes simultaneously). Repeatedly recently, I've jumped and God has caught me beautifully, and delighted so deeply in my heart each time.  Choosing to engage daily with both the things and people tangibly in front of me, but also with the thoughts and stirrings of my heart-- and respecting them enough to step out in action-- is no small thing. It's hard, but so so exhilarating!

May you also engage with what is hard for you-- there is simply nothing better. :)

5 comments:

  1. This is beautiful. Not only do you look like The Sound of Music in that picture but this practically translates my thoughts and feelings. How truthful and challenging this is. Thank you.

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    1. Hey, thanks Abigal! Too funny about the Sound of Music comment, a friend of mine said that too! ;)

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  2. Erin, I, too, struggle with the "doing"-- because I am so afraid of making mistakes. But, when I trust Jesus with "moving out" in what He has called me to do, He assures and affirms in me that ultimately, it's Him doing it. "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts'" (Zechariah 4:6, ESV). Praise Jesus, that it is in Him that we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28)!

    It's so exciting to watch others grow in Christ, becoming the people they were made to be. Cheering you on in your run with Christ along with that great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1)! You'll continue to be in my prayers. :) Also, I see your Colorado tag on this post. I live in Colorado! How long were you/are you here? :) I pray it was amazing; I am definitely blessed to live here.

    Blessings in Christ! :)
    AnnaLee

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    1. Anna, thanks for this! I'm sorry I'm so late in responding, I've been fighting a case of poison ivy for the past two weeks. As to Colorado, my Dad has lived out there since I was a little girl, and it's very much my home away from home-- so cool that you live there, I'm pretty sure I'll end up out that way. :) I'll have to let you know the next time I'm out there!

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    2. Ah, dang! I am praying that it heals up quickly. You should-- it'd be wonderful to see you! :) I live in the northern portion of the state. Hope to see ya soon :)
      Blessings!

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