Life Launch

Daily Post: Catapult

At precisely 4:30 am this morning, as the alarm on my phone went off, I catapulted off the bed so as not to be late.  We were leaving at 5:00 am sharp and sometimes it takes awhile to get moving.  In another time, and another place, 4:30am was no stranger to me, as I was often in my office by 5:00 or 5:30 am on a daily basis.  Thankfully, I sleep until 6:30-7:00 am on most days.  On those rare occasions when I sleep later, I never catapult from the sheets. I roll out of bed slowly, hoping to wobble into the day at a more leisurely pace.  This allows time for my morning ablutions, turning on the coffee, reading the morning news, checking my favorite sports team’s performance, and generally easing into writing my daily blog.  

The zeal in life for me is often found in the motivation of what the day holds.  If I’m going to the Dentist, I drag my feet and leave at the very last possible moment, because heaven forbid I should arrive early for the painful experience of seeing the man in the white lab coat.  On the other hand, should I be so blessed to have a tee time at my favorite golf course, I am up and out of the house with time to spare.  Many days, there is nothing special planned at all, and those are hours so challenging to fill with meaning and purpose.  I’ve learned the fine art of “being” on those days.  It all starts with being aware (on purpose) of all the blessings I’ve received, the joy of being generally in good health, and giving thanks for this season of my life.  These purposeful actions launch me into life.

I’m reminded of a narrative from Scripture where one day a man blind from birth was suddenly and unexpected catapulted into a whole new existence.  The students of Jesus asked, “what caused this man to be born blind?”  The answer was startling to them.  He explained that neither the man, nor his parents were the cause, but this specific man was born in this condition “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3). Jesus proceeded to do a truly disgusting thing (by today’s standards of medical practice).  “He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes.” (9:6).  The follow up action on the part of the blind man was simple:  “Go wash in the pool of Siloam.”  According to John, the eyewitness, the man went, washed, and came back with his sight fully restored.

Imagine seeing the birds he had heard without seeing, the sun that burned his skin, the friends whose names he knew but had never seen.  Now this man, was a man motivated to launch into life.  Every day for the rest of his life, he awoke with a renewed excitement for what this day might hold.  On those days when I stumble and bumble through my morning, in a listless sort of “ugh” state, I try to remind myself about this blind man.  How blessed I am to be alive!  I’m healthy, I have my sight and my mental faculties are mostly in order, so what’s not to love about living?

Today, wherever you are, whatever your plight, whatever your pain, or joy… launch into life!