Original artwork by Mandy, quote by Isadora Duncan.

There’s this conviction that’s drilling deep down within me. And it’s slow. But it’s steady. And it just sinks and settles.

And this conviction is that life is a gift—an opportunity.

I’m not talking about a wimpish and half-hearted fling-the-dart-towards-the-target sort of opportunity.

I’m talking the Eminem “Lose Yourself” sort of opportunity:

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

Maybe it’s because I’m in limbo between a quarter-life and mid-life crisis. Maybe because I’m being very deliberate about how I spend my time and energy and life right now.

Or maybe because the concept of The American Dream is unavoidable in this culture and we can’t get away from the question “what are you going to do with your life?”

Or maybe because this “life is a gift” thing is true. And if it’s true, then what are we supposed to do with it?

We honor the gift and the Giver by living the best life we can. We live to our fullest potential. We strive to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.

This is the most Creator-honoring thing we can do. This is the most worshipful thing we can do with our lives — say “yes” to who we were created to be.

This doesn’t mean go with the flow of our fleshly desires, but it does mean maximize our gifts and talents to the best of our abilities. And as we honor ourselves as we were made, we honor our Maker.

So, about that thing that you really enjoy and that you’re good at? Stop apologizing for it and just do it.

Be you. You’re the only one who can. And you were created for a reason. Your life is a gift.

So what are you going to do about it?