Intensity

There are few things which frustrate me more than people who are not intense about the passions of their life.  Their rhetoric indicates certain things are important to them; you would never know it by their actions.  It is as if things are disconnected.  The normal links between conversations, heart knowledge, head values, soul priorities, and life are missing.  This isn’t a judgment on content; quite the contrary.  It is an observation of how we live our lives.  Are we in to win?  Do we seriously want to be in the game?  Is there a willingness to risk to achieve something greater than today?
 
You see the difference on many different stages.  Musicians share their gift of music and you can feel the difference.  Athletes play with an edge which can only come from the heart.  Others take risks in everyday conversations, willing to let their souls be open; connecting and being vulnerable to the attacks of others.  Each in their own way puts everything they have into the causes of their life.  As a result there are magical moments where others can share in the mystery of a song, pure competition, and unmerited gifts of compassionate acceptance and mercy.  Each even is a special moment in time – treasured by those present because they quench our life thirst. 
 
Yet these moments do not need to be merely ones of chance.  They can be intentional and we can be an integral part of that intent.  When the Spirit gives you rest and a new day breaks Divinity calls out to you and me.  God, in many different ways, tells you, me, and the world that “I've taken charge of my special forces, called up my crack troops.  They're bursting with pride and passion to carry out my angry judgment.” (Isaiah 13.3)  Be aware – God is talking about you and me.  We are the ones asked to carry compassion.  We are the ones presenting mercy.  We are the ones with love to give.
 
The calling is there and here.  The morning breaks, we’re in the breach.  We decide.