This goes out to all those people who give everything, all the time, to anything they set their mind to. You know who you are, but if you don't, your thinking goes something along these lines: "While I'm at it, I may as well be the best at it. Why not do something others probably don't have the endurance (or brilliance) to do. Life is too short for anything less than 100%. You haven't done/seen/heard that, why not? (utter disbelief)"
Extremists live life as if the present is the most precious gift and cradle it like a new-born. When the present becomes the past they have no regrets, they then start thinking of ways to manipulate the future so that when it arrives it can be spent like no other day before it; uniquely and unforgettably. Extremists tend to plan, but if something better comes along they change their plans. There is nothing more extreme than spontaneity, a willingness to change the way you see the next few minutes, hours or days!
This all sounds like a fairy tale, like a person you read about in a book or watch in a movie. You may be able to relate to certain aspects of the above description, but have never really seen it fully lived out. The reason for this is simple: the very aspects that make so-called extremists so endearing and successful, are the very things that trip them up in the end.
Extremists have a tendency to alienate people that can't keep up with them. They tend to be seen as selfish, reckless and driven. They would argue that they are just being misunderstood, but what is often the case is that, that which drives them to the edge, drives them over the edge.
What is the solution then? Jesus was extreme, He was a revolutionary, He alienated, polarized and mobilized. So, what was the difference? The bible says that Jesus only did what He saw His Father do and said what He heard His Father say. It stands to reason then that what we think is extreme is in fact an everyday reality for God. When we think we're living on the edge and seizing the day we are actually just beginning to tap into the potential He has given us.
Jesus was a lot of things, but one thing He was not, was selfish. Consider others just as Jesus considered you when He went to the cross. It will put your extreme tendencies into perspective, it will focus your passions onto others, onto a world that is crying out for help - an extreme cry!
2 comments:
I always thought I was just properly appreciating the gift of life. God gave me these amazing talents and I think that hiding the lamp is the selfish thing to do.
If I develop my gifts properly now, and give everything that comes my way 1000%, I can become everything I need to be to do the most I can for the world around me.
I am ME and not just anyone else for a reason; there is some space in His plan for the extremists, just as there is for people with different views on life.
If we only had shoemakers in the world, what would we eat?
@Lize-Maree Yes, we're all unique and special, I agree. My only concern(hence the post)is that people take their predisposition, of having a extreme nature and use it as an excuse for selfishness. We are all wired in different ways and these are all a reflection of God's character in us, however it is up to us to live for something beyond ourselves. It's up to us to consider those around us. Even if we are different to them.
That is the heart behind the post/idea/opinion, what do you think?
PS: If we only had shoemakers in the world we'd only eat COMFORT food!
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