I love the word zeal.

It’s more than a fun word to say. It’s a fun word to LIVE.

Are you living with zeal? Let me tell you what that means.

Definition of Zeal

According to Merriam-Webster, ZEAL is an “eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something.” And, in case you’re curious, ARDENT means “warmth of feeling” or “shining.”

I like to think of it as a passionate pursuit of a purpose. And that is how I aim to live.

Living with Zeal

For me, living with zeal started around the time I recovered from a decade-long battle with bulimia. My eating disorder had consumed me for so long that I didn’t know how to live without it. Recovery showed me that I wasn’t truly living, so I decided to re-learn how to live again.

This took me on a journey—figuratively and literally.

I grew in my relationship with God. Developed new friendships. Figured out what I enjoy doing in my spare time. Learned to prioritize what’s important to me. Refined my values.

I also started traveling—a lot—which led me to start this blog and then find a remote job to travel even more.

Life felt fun again. It had purpose.

What Is My Purpose?

Part of that purpose was an increasing nudge from God to share my story. To offer hope to anyone struggling the way I once did. With recovery. Guilt. Shame. All of it!

And, as much as I love to passionately pursue travel and living every day as an adventure, I know now that the truest form of living with zeal—for me—is to live out the grace and hope that only God can give, and share it with as many people as possible.

Because God’s grace and His hope are available to EVERYONE, no matter your struggle or situation. No matter what you did yesterday, or you do tomorrow. You don’t have to live in shame, or guilt, or hopelessness. That is God’s free gift to us all, through Jesus dying a brutal death on a cross to pay the penalty for all the sins that have ever been and will ever be committed on this earth throughout the history of humankind.

It is my purpose to tell you this truth through my story.

And that is how I want to live with zeal—knowing that every day is a gift, and every day I get to share God’s gift with the world.

How I’m Spreading Zeal

It’s not enough that I’m living with zeal. I want you to do it, too!

So, I created resources to spread the zeal.

• First—This blog you’re reading right now. I sprinkle zeal throughout my blog posts, and if you’d like to be notified whenever I post a new one, share your email address and click FOLLOW ALONG. (If you’re reading on a computer, you’ll see this on the right side column. If you’re on your cell phone, you’ll see it at the bottom of this page!)
• Second—My Instagram accounts. I have two:
  • @adventureandthegirl — for my everyday posts and adventures
  • @hopeandthegirl — for daily encouragement and faith-based content
• Third—My podcast: Recover with God. You can listen wherever you normally listen to podcasts. Click here for more details and links to listen.

Of course, you don’t have to follow me to live with ZEAL. But, if you’d like to do it together… I’m here!