There is a time in all our lives when we get hit by a rogue wave. We suddenly look up from whatever we are doing and we have no more to give. We are empty–all that is left within us is a raging desire that cannot be described and always seems out of reach.
We are afraid of this feeling, which I can only describe as a longing for something greater. We hide from it because we live in a world that is not great; a world where greatness is impossible unless we get lucky. We hide from this feeling because it makes us feel insignificant. It makes us feel stuck in a rut, untalented, unproductive, uncreative, and destined to lead a regular, boring life.
That feeling is inspired by God.
I call it the Wilderheart, because that is what it is: it is wild, and it is your heart.
Have you ever wondered at humanity’s fascination with God and godhood? Why do novelists and moviemakers create stories about god-like men who go on grand adventures, face many hardships, and triumph? We are obsessed with greatness. We are obsessed with regaining something that we lost thousands of years ago.
Our Wilderheart always calls us to greatness, but we ignore it because it is impossible to achieve greatness on our own. We even go so far as to create “Christian” doctrines centered around our own weakness and incapacity to accomplish great things. We disguise our impotence with the cloak of humility and religion. We crush our Wilderheart and bring it back to reality.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone who wanted to restore us? Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was someone calling us to seize the day? What if there was a Master of Creativity who designed our Wilderheart for greatness, gave us tools to achieve greatness, and had the most detailed plan for greatness in our lives? What if this Master calls us to greatness so that, through us, his greatness is seen?
Following the call of our Wilderheart is not as simple as “following our dreams”. Following our Wilderheart means purposefully choosing discomfort. The Wilderheart is not content to rest in a suburb. It must venture into the most dangerous, desolate places. It must explore, find adventure, fight in the battles.
That is why most people choose to neglect their Wilderheart. It is so dangerous. There is a certainty of failure. They do not realize that failure is something to embrace, not run away from. When a scientist or inventor runs a test, every failure helps him determine his success. We, the rest of humanity, are no different. We only think we are.
Following our Wilderheart is not as simple as “facing our fears”. Following the Wilderheart means that we begin to love the fight against fear. It means that when a new fear arises and paralyzes us, when we stare death in the face, we laugh because this is a challenge worthy of one of the sons of God!
The Wilderheart does not ask how many enemies there are–it asks where they are.
Following our Wilderheart is as simple as stepping out your front door. It’s a dangerous business stepping out your front door–you never know where you might be swept off to.
If you step out your front door, not with the intention of being something new or doing something new, but with the intention of following your Wilderheart to greatness, if you listen closely in quiet times, if you keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs, if you can dream and not become the slave of dreams, if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of time well spent, you are alive, and greatness is within you.
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Wow, Daniel! This is such a much needed reminder. Thanks for sharing this greatly written article with us!
Great article!
Thanks Katelyn! I really appreciate the support. This was an interesting article to write. It makes me think differently about everyday hardships. Everything is training!
I’m glad to hear it! That first step (or leap!) is the most crucial. Keep your momentum! That’s how we stay moving.
I’m new here on the Reb but I think they have guidelines for submitting discussion questions on the “Submissions” page. I might be remembering wrong. Hope this helps!
Thanks Isabella!
If you want it to be in the “discussion” section of the blog, you can email the team and your question could be published. Their email is [email protected]
“The Wilderheart does not ask how many enemies there are–it asks where they are.”
Thank you for writing, Daniel! This article was a much-needed reminder. Sometimes in the midst of hardship or everyday routine, it can be so easy to lose sight of the wild, faith-filled greatness that Christ has called us to… but thanks to God that He has called us to such an abundant adventure, and that His strength can live through us! This article brought to mind one of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”Thank you for writing!
Thank you so much, Daniel! I’ve had this feeling all of my life, and all I’ve labeled it is “daring to be different”. Thank you for personifying it and giving it a name–the Wilderheart! This brings me so much comfort and inspiration, realizing that this feeling/desire/mindset is from the Lord. Almost everyone thinks it’s just me being crazy, haha, but it’s an actual thing!
I’ve been reading this post every day this week for reminders and inspiration. It is a gem! Great job, Daniel! (The Lord is definitely taking you places. God bless!)