Make it happen (the root of 20-something wanderlust)

I have always had a tendency to want to be where it's happening. And by 'happening' I mean that elusive quality that describes something I can't quite put words to.

Unfortunately for me, it always seems to be 'happening' somewhere other than where I'm at. I'll hear whispers from far-off blog-posts of that thing, so incredible, real, and authentic that is happening where I'm not and I can't help but wish myself there amongst those people in those places where they're actually living the 'happening' life.

I think deep inside this personal yearning of mine, is a fear of being inconsequential. I often think that to make a difference and be valuable, I need to be present wherever the elusive 'happening' is taking place. It keeps me up at night.

While I don't like to admit it, I'm the product of a generation that believes the meaning of life is found in a very particular place: someplace else. Us 20-something millennials wander about searching for some deeply moving, happening space where people are who they say they are and do the meaningful stuff that we think matters. We're deeply concerned that we're going to miss out, that we're not going to be part of 'it', that we're going to miss the meaning we so desperately know needs to be found.

It's one of the reasons we're great at dreaming up big ideas, but aren't much for doing the hard work needed to make them happen. When our ideas (or friendships, or job, etc.) fall flat, we panic and run to the next 'happening' place. Of course this isn't always the case, but it's a pretty common reality.

As hard as it is to admit, it's becoming more and more obvious to me that the 'happening' place is always found in a very particular location.

The 'happening' place is always nestled between two things: difficult work and time.

It's rarely glamorous, but it's always where real, authentic, and meaningful 'happening' takes place.

Lately, I've come to the conclusion (not easily...) that if I want the privilege of being part of what God is making happen in the world, I need to humble myself. God works through patient people who are willing to do the day-in and day-out work it takes to make things happen.

The fear of missing out blinds us to such a degree that we really do miss out - on everything happening exactly where we are.

I'm not saying that God doesn't pick people up and send them across the country/world. I'm just saying that when he does, he probably isn't sending you to the 'happening' place. He's sending you to the place that needs God to happen to it.

So whether you stay or go, know that nothing good comes from cheap attempts at relationships, meaning, or purpose. None of those things come without prayerful, humble, and slow hard work.