My heart on walk out/walk up...

There is a lot of debate about where we should/shouldn't be walking, lately.

Out of a building...to stand as one in remembrance.
Up to someone...to get to know them.

I think that is just scratching the surface.

What about around, into, over, under, and through...

Around our greatest need...to love others as they are.
Into our calling...to serve others where they are.
Over an obstacle...to help someone reach their potential.
Under the radar...because humility is greater than pride.
Through life together...in genuine relationship with one another.

There might be more. Those are the ones that come to mind right now.

Rather than argue about the "right" direction we should walk, maybe we need to hit pause, and see this from a fresh perspective. It isn't centered around a debate of who is "right" and who is "wrong". In fact, seeing it as a debate at all is a loss...for all of us.

The answer we are looking for starts with #Mental awareness. Our eyes and ears open to the people we have the opportunity to connect with, where we are doing life, every single day. To really hear them. Next comes #Verbal. It starts with a conversation, not a confrontation. We need to ask someone how they are doing, not tell them what they should be feeling. A genuine offer of encouragement based on who they are, not who we think they need to be. Speak to their heart from yours. Share from your heart, and really hear theirs.

That puts perspective around where we walk each day...the #Physical.

It's in that order.

Mental. Verbal. Physical.

It's why you'll hear me say #TheMVPLife...a lot.

​It's how I try to approach life. I try to get better every day at it. I've got a long ways to go. I'm far from perfect. I have to pause, too. Some days...a lot. With how I see things. With how I speak about things. With how I express myself along the way, wherever I am...whatever moment I'm in.

I'm not writing tonight because I have it all figured out. That is SO VERY far from the truth. I'm just sensing a stirring. I'm sensing a heart-driven desperation in SO MANY people.

Our nation is parched.

We are thirsty.

We are walking through an emotional desert right now, and instead of locking arms in search of water, we are throwing sand in each other's eyes.

It's creating confusion, division, and frustration among us.

​Our debates, arguments, and judgement are keeping us from the life-giving source we all need.

LOVE.

Given and received.

Received and given.

Over...and over...and over.

Here's the thing...

The answer we are looking for isn't found on the inside or outside of a building. The answer we are looking for is an outward expression of the inward condition of our heart...to #LeadWithLove.

To walk in every direction and...

See others for who they are.

Being present...truly present.

Mentally. Verbally. Physically...present.

Serving. Seeing. Learning about. Hearing. Loving. Speaking with. Caring. Encouraging. Inviting. Forgiving. Understanding. Walking towards others, extending every ounce of love we can bring. 

We desperately need to stop being hung up on the direction someone's shoes are pointed, where they stand, and resist the urge to get into any sort of confrontation about it.

Feet are directed to where a heart is genuinely connected.

Rather than judge the destination, motive, or direction of someone's feet, let's honor the heart behind their movement, and save our energy to walk where we feel called to.

We don't have a walking problem in our nation.

We don't have a destination problem.

We have seeing, hearing, and speaking problem. We have a judgmental, side-picking problem.

​The sooner we step back and see this, something beautiful can...AND WILL...happen.

​We are leaving our greatest opportunity behind us, letting confrontation divide us.

We need to...

Lead with love.

Be consistent in our presence.

We should carry honor in our hearts, and share it from our thoughts, through our words, and in our actions.

And when we honor one another?

We can see the value in walking out, up, around, into, over, under, and any other direction because it will be rooted in LOVE.

That is where my heart is at tonight.

Whatever direction you are headed in next...

Please...

#LeadWithLove.

____________________________________________________________

P.S. 

I had the blessing of being a guest speaker a few weeks back.

In it I share the heart behind where my feet are pointed. I hope it's an encouragement to you.

I hope you can draw energy from it to walk in the direction your heart is leading you.

​From my heart, to yours...

Brett W Gould from Church on the Rock on Vimeo.