John Steinbeck wrote, "'It's almost impossible to read a fine thing without wanting to do a fine thing.'"  This simple quote has been resonating in my soul over the past two weeks.  I began thinking about all of the fine things I have read since I started to take my faith seriously.  A book called "The Irresistible Revolution" instilled in me a desire to spread God's love to a group of homeless people living under a bridge.  Reading someone else's blog about building homes and helping the people of New Orleans created an urge to follow suit.  Reading books like "Searching For God Knows What" caused myself to write bad poetry about my relationship with God.  Reading "The Pastures of Heaven," the book that the quote above was taken from, bestowed upon me this enormous want to build a freaking house.  I'll be honest, even hearing a kick ass song makes me want to write the next song that every indie kid on this half of the globe will be whistling or singing along with as they walk down the street in their tight pants.  My point being, every time we see or hear someone else's impact on the world, or just us, our heads begin to rise from their standard lowered positions and dream up grandeur-like ways of impacting others.  
Steinbeck also wrote, "No one knows how greatness comes to a man.  It may lie in his blackness, sleeping, or it may lance into him like those driven fiery particles from outer space.  These thing, however are known about greatness:  need gives it life and puts it into action;  it never comes without pain;  it leaves a man changed, chastened and exalted at the same time - he can never return to simplicity."  I've tasted greatness.  I've had the pleasure that comes from a ministry that God has blessed.  I've felt the conviction that I need to rely more upon my savior.  Now that I know these feelings I cannot return to simplicity.  I want to build a house in God's name.  I want to learn an instrument so I can write absurdly indie songs about how God has changed me.  Most of all, I want to be set in a library of great, inspiring works so that I might be inspired.   All with hope that God would instill in me an urge to glorify Him through the want to do fine things.