Change of Heart

Around this time 5 years ago I was on top of world! 

Here you see in the cover photo I’m bragging to myself and perhaps God after climbing what I thought was one of the oldest and tallest mountains in the the world, just in time for sunrise! I measured my feat based off the effort to accomplish - and not reality, which is simply that Lions Head Mountain, although has one of the most beautiful back drops against Cape Town wouldn’t even be among the tallest mountains in Colorado, lest alone in Africa.

But for the time being I was happy to boast and believe and just enjoy being on top of the world, if not literally than at least figuratively. Life was grand, I had all of my little heart’s desires. 

Well.

Now.

As reality set in over the following few months, my revelation is simply that my heart then, and related desires were far too often misplaced. I had all of the things the world told me I needed, or should want - within reason of course. Looking back on the 5 year storm and fiery furnace I’ve begun to emerge from while continually praying it’s actually over, it’s easy to see that all I really needed was a change of heart. Climbing mountains, meeting new people, and making money is an over simplified description but accurately captures my mantra back then so it’s easy to understand why the majority of my efforts were deployed therein. 

Today, my heart is for Christ. I believe He’s all I need yet haven’t quite perfected the “He’s all want” part. It’s an easier said than done kinda thing if I’m being honest. 

Having a heart for Christ doesn’t mean I no longer want to travel, or meet amazing people and certainly not that I don’t want to make money.. it’s just that now I see that being on top of the world means putting everything else beneath Him and myself beneath everyone else. 

Simplifying the great commandment; You shall love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. Then, your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39

So now, if I’m fortunate to travel and explore, when I meet new people home or abroad, and while I’m earning a living.. my heart’s desire is to do it with Christ in mind. 

My journey is uniquely mine but not that different from yours, riddled with ups and downs. Here’s to us both having nothing but blue skies ahead and living happily ever after. As we hope and pray is the case, we know that each of us are equally susceptible to more storms and an abrupt exit.  

So, I invite and encourage you to prepare yourself for the greatest chance at living more abundantly on earth while securing your place in eternity. 

Be Encouraged and Love, always.

Aaron

Worshiping with Inmates at Everglades Correctional Facility