Let Life Flow Through You
How to live everyday
“I think it's really sweet that anytime you are around strangers, you are actually around someone’s best friend or crush or new love, who they are obsessed with, and they would probably give so much to be in your position right now to do this mundane, boring thing with this person. But here you are, not even noticing them. If you had been three minutes later, you might not have even seen them. I think there is some secret hidden magic in that, that you really have to pay attention to, to let it brighten your day” - @victoriatheromantic on TikTok
I promise to be brief -
Sonder. The concept that everyone around you is living a vivid and unique life. The man you just saw at the gas station is celebrating his birthday, and the woman you had a brief chat with in the queue is grieving. Life allows multiple instances to co-exist; the sky morphs into blue and grey hues depending on where you are in the world. To one, the blue is a symbol of joy and to the other, a nudge at regret. Yet the throughline is engagement. To recognize the colours of your life, you need to be aware, appreciate, and value them as products of being present.
Lately, my emotions have been all over the place, bouts of joy and dips into disappointment, causing me to lean in and out of my reality, try to find solace in the future or ruminate about the past. Interestingly, these feelings have exposed my pride, believing I can detach and strategize every aspect of my life, when really, I should be actively living through it. A belief that aligns with the way I have been taught to engage with the world proposes that most problems we encounter can be reduced to formulas; therefore, desired outcomes are guaranteed when you have the “right” input. Although this may be true in some cases, when applied to human experiences, it is not sustainable and, frankly, unreliable.
“When the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—" – Job 38: 4-11
As I pondered this scripture, the phrase “Let Life Flow Through You” dropped in my heart. The passage is so rich (maybe we will exegete another day), but from a more physical standpoint, this is a painful reminder that exposes my arrogance and pride. It hurts to read. The fact is that primarily submitting to strategy in my life leads to disengagement with the present and subsequently a disengagement from what God is actively doing.
There is a delicate but crucial balance of trust, submission and planning here. Finding solace in the truth that God is holding my future and is cognizant and thoughtful in planting desires in my heart to fulfill them in His time. However, to exercise that trust, I need to be present to witness and actively co-labour with him. The Bible continues to reiterate the importance of not remaining tethered to an unchanging past or the future that is not guaranteed, exposing the brevity of time.
I think that romantic love acts as a gorgeous framework for the importance of present living, potentially relieving the weight from the fear of “wasted” effort. Recently, I witnessed a beautiful proposal, which has allowed me to visualize the multidimensionality of actively living life. Love is a risk, particularly on the covenantal level of marriage, yet it’s a risk that many choose to take.
Why?
For a long time, I was not sure. How do people know that they will not regret this decision? But I am reaching an understanding that although we can’t wholeheartedly answer these questions, we can confidently choose to engage in love. Because the choice to love, and love fully, is a risk worth taking. Though the unfamiliarity may cause pain and confusion, it simultaneously blesses us with an intimacy that we could never live without, one filled with beauty, grace and meaning. Yet, the only way to be assured of the chance to experience this phenomenon is to engage in the concerted effort to choose to love, to choose to be present in the union. The Bible continuously makes the analogy that the church is the Bride of Christ, and He is the Bridegroom. Within the weight and protection of marriage as a covenant, there is something to be said about His reckless love for us, a recklessness that is only recognized when we decide to let love and her many dimensions run through us and be felt. Whether this love is displayed through comfort, through warmth or even jealousy, it is whole and complete. Similarly, living presently allows for life to be felt in its vibrancy and fullness.
So, I am committing myself to living my life every day. Life is not about to happen; it's happening right now. As Victoria said above, you must pay attention to see the magic.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” - Psalm 118:24
*Cover image: Icarus falling from the sky*