Wonder Woman Could Fly; Eagles Can Fly, If They Try, and So Can You and I

As a private pilot, I know that before I could get my pilot's license, I had to take many hours of "ground" school first -- to learn everything I needed to know about the airplane, what makes it fly, the weather, distance measurement and so much more. The more I had to be in ground school, the more I wanted to get in that airplane on my own and fly. I was discontented with staying "grounded"! I wanted to fly!

Speaking of flying, you would think my daughter was a Wonder Woman junkie by her over-the-top excitement to see the new Wonder Woman, especially after she saw the trailers and was moved to tears with passion. Some would think she is a fanatic about action heroes and sci-fi, but no, it's so much greater than that. This little girl that we named Staci (which means "resurrection life") has so much life in her that she truly believes she is a Queen Esther or a Wonder Woman with a "for such a time as this" mandate from God. As much as I have always known God has a call on her life to make a difference in this world, something is stirring in her today that takes her desires to a whole new level. I'm seeing it in her walk, her talk and her dissatisfaction for the status quo.

I went over to their house yesterday morning, and her energy level was running at Mach speed, exploding with the details of a dream she had last night, wearing her Wonder Woman t-shirt, and stoked about seeing the movie, it didn't really surprise me a bit. As I watched the movie with them and saw Wonder Woman's absolute passion and drive to save humanity, I understood my Staci's heart and passion. I won't be a spoiler if you haven't seen the movie, but it may be one that you consider seeing, but if you watch it as just another good action movie, then you're missing my point in sharing this post with you today.

We all have the opportunity to live way above the mediocrity of watching the news 24/7 for our daily boost of energy, or rather our daily boost of depression. Like Wonder Woman AND Staci, we can purpose to get ourselves on a higher frequency. A frequency of passion to make a difference, a passion to pray for Wonder Men and Women who say, "Pick me!", "Empower me!", "Give me wings to fly like an eagle!" I don't know about you, but I want to live in a zone that takes me to a place of "I am here this day and this time for a purpose, to be on purpose.....to help save humanity, too! Here I am, Lord! Send me. Use me. Teach me. Push me. Make me uncomfortable with pecking with the chickens. I am ready to mount up my wings like an eagle....and fly!"

Please watch and listen to this short video that Staci recorded yesterday about "staying grounded with the chickens" or "spreading your wings to fly like an eagle" and get started on your "flying" ground school today -- in the post below this one!

Stranded or Rescuer

SPOILER ALERT! At our Life Group meeting, last night, we talked about the difference in being someone who feels or is “stranded” – all alone, hopeless and they may have already determined that they wouldn’t make it through their crisis. They’ve quit on pushing on. They've given up on life. We also discussed those who are “rescuers” – those who go in to encourage, support and help rescue someone from being “stranded”.

That discussion was based on the excerpts/clips from the movie “Martian” which were brilliantly used by Pastor Craig Groeschel to make the point about the choices we make. We are either “stranded” or we are a "rescuer". That was the story of Astronaut Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon) when he was left for dead during their mission to Mars. With Watney believed dead, the mission commander ordered the remaining crew to return to their orbiting vessel without him. Mark had a choice to make: he either gives up and accepts that he is going to die or to use his intellect, drive and determination to live.

Eventually, because of Mark's abilities, mental resources and determination, he was able to communicate back to earth that he was alive, and then it was up to the mission commander and her crew to return to save him. The “stranded” and the “rescuers”.

Yesterday, I posted a photo of a man slumped-in-his-chair with drink in hand. The tagline said, “Many people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75." I think that speaks to those who are “stranded”. They are stuck in mediocrity, have given up pursuing their dreams and visions, and serve no one else. They serve themselves with defeat, lack of motivation, and have essentially “died” to a life of potential and possibilities. On the other hand, there are those relentless, selfless, inspiring, and undaunted people who are the “rescuers” – not only are they their personal rescuer, but they rescue others by building them up, encouraging them, loving them through this season of their lives.

Mark Watney said, “I’m not going to die here” and he didn’t. Just maybe it’s time we get the fortitude and attitude that says “I’m not giving up….until I’m taken up! And, while I'm still here, I'll be a RESCUER!"

I'm Going to Adventureland!

Ever felt like that little bird that was done with that not-so-cozy nest and was ready to take wing and fly away?  It may be called "restlessness".  My friend and I were visiting yesterday about willing to live out loud with no regrets -- ready to take on some adventures.  Quite frankly, I think I've become a little too comfortable where I'm at and that's why I'm saying "Yes, Lord" to wherever He wants me to go and to do whatever He wants me to do.   I know that sounds crazy -- especially since I just returned from three weeks away with my family.

In my prayer time this morning, I shared with the Lord how uncomfortable "my nest" seems to be these days. When I say "nest", I'm speaking about comfort zone -- complacency -- mediocrity -- status quo.  Each one of those words causes me to flinch.  I know that God has assignments for me to fulfill and "comfort zone" just won't cut it.  Yesterday, I spoke about Martin Luther King's undaunted determination to change his world.  "Comfort zone" wasn't even in his vocabulary.  To accomplish anything great, it shouldn't be in our vocabulary either.   Last night, Trainer Bob Harper, on The Biggest Loser show, said to the teams, "Not until you are the most uncomfortable and having to push out of your comfort zone, will you really see what you're made of."

And, don't we want to see what we are made of?  These thoughts have guided me to a new place in my prayer life.  A place where I not only ask for God's help with "life's stuff", but to focus more than ever before on my need for heavenly wisdom -- especially when I know how valuable each and every day must be.  So getting out of my comfort zone and going into my prayer zone is signficantly the best place to hang out during these times of question.

King David had such a way with words and his knack for early morning rising to seek God certainly helped him be his best.  And I've found those are my best times too -- those times when I ask my Father to speak to me, to help me, to listen, and give me insight as to what the day and the future will hold as I place my agenda into His hands.  When you and I do that, then He unfolds the plans, opens doors to spectacular adventures, and causes our steps to be on purpose.  Once we get that, then the restlessness will cease and the wide-eyed wonder of a child will run to ADVENTURELAND with all out abandonment for the thrilling rides that lie ahead!  Surely -- not a chance for boredom, complacency, or status quo there.

Raising the Bar -- Status Quo....Unacceptable!

God certainly set the bar high for us when He said words like this: "Love your enemies!” “Have peace in the midst of storms!” “Overcome evil with good!” "Be perfect as I am perfect." "Don't judge and you will not be judged." "Have faith and don't doubt." "I've made you MORE than conquerors." He didn't give us much "just-get-by" wiggle room, did He?

God didn't create us for mediocrity. He created us in His image -- He makes the impossible, possible. He makes darkness, light. He makes can't, can. There's nothing mediocre about Him. So, His expectations for us are extremely HIGH! Why should we be satisfied with a just-get-by mindset, when we have a Father who is unlimited and abounding in love and favor toward us? And, if He didn't think it were possible, He would have never set such high standards for us. Everything we do should be done with excellence. When we are asked to go one mile, whether it be in a job, a project, or a service, we should be ready to go the second mile, too. That's raising the bar. Yes, our Father gives to us in above-and-beyond measure, so His lead sets the bar high for us. It means we'll have to stretch out of our comfort zone, but I promise you, the benefits of stretching gives us rewards beyond our greatest expectations.

God didn’t set the bar high so that we would fail. He did it to show how high He can take us! Let's stop being satisfied with the status quo -- let's raise the bar, and be all He destined us to be and do!