So I am reading a Bill Hybels book right now called Holy Discontent. I am normally not a big Hybels fan but i like this book and it is helping me turn my deconstruction into something productive. In this specific chapter he is referencing a book written by Robert Quinn called Building The Bridge As You Walk On It. In the book Quinn mentions two different ways of living: normal and fundamental. (now this is not fundamental in the bible thumping, no dancing, mostly legalistic church way):

“‘When we accept the world as it is, we deny our ability to see something better, and hence our ability to be something better. We become what we behold. To remain in the normal state is ultimately to choose slow death.’ The normal state is so self seeking that you can spin your wheels for a lifetime and never once impact the world around you. In the fundamental state, however, people care so much about getting results that they begin to move and breathe in a totally different realm. Thy operate with intentionality. They act with massive doses of enthusiaism and persistance. They surrender their ego because they simply can’t afford their pride. They open themselves up to any and all new ideas and forms of input-regardless where those suggestions come from. People who operate in a “fundamental” state of mind concentrate at higher levels and focus more intensely because the goal they’re pursuing demands it. They take risks they wouldn’t normally take..because they have to- there’s too much at stake not to! Their creativity kicks up a notch. Their energy soars. Their passion swells.”

It seems to me that those who operate in the “fundamental” state are the ones who are following the mission of Jesus instead of looking for ways to squeeze him into “what i want to do with my life”.

It made me think of something Jesus once said, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”- Luke 17:33