Let's talk about your big but
Life is nothing if not full of decisions. Some are pretty simple and essentially non-consequential (whether to drink Dunkin Donuts coffee or Starbucks, whether you sleep on your back or side, etc) while others are complicated, risky and downright frightending (like deciding whether to quit a job, or move to a new city, or to get married, etc). The more difficult choices in our life are determined by one thing; or "but"s.
Anything difficult and complicated will be met with resistance. We're human and we don't like change; but rather crave stability and comfort (and often will do whatever it takes to stay within that safe world of predictability). So we come up with a list of "but"s to try and prevent whatever change or tough choice.
I love her and I want to get married, but I don't feel that I'm stable enough in my job.
Sure I want to have kids, but we're not making enough money and we're not ready.
This would be a great job oppotunity, but all my family is here and I don't know anyone there.
What but keeps you doing what you ought? Fear. Fear of failing. Fear of hurt and heartache. Fear of disappointment. Fear is a good thing because it gets us to wrestle with our choices to make sure we're being wise. Fear should help us to dig deeper into what is making us resist the decision; rather than let our buts consume us. Fear should never be an excuse for inaction but rather one to motivate us to action. The worst thing anyone can do is nothing; it's the best way to experience nothing, have nothing, enjoy nothing, recieve nothing.
Life is much more rewarding when you've done something you never thought possible; and that's only possible when you get your big but out of the way.
Comments for "Let's talk about your big but"
This reminds me of this:
"All efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. Difficulty does not make us faint and cave in - it stirs us up to overcome. God does not give us overcoming life - He gives us life as we overcome.
~ Oswald Chambers (My Utmost For His Highest)
by Ryan Detzel
∞ Sunday, June 7th, 2009
That's a great quote Ryan, thanks for sharing it. I have "Utmost" and I've sadly not really delved into it. That should change.
by Paul
∞ Monday, June 8th, 2009
...Or, to quote the late Dr. Seuss "You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, you know what you know. You are the one who'll decide where to go."
This has always been a favorite passage of mine. Knowing that ultimately, the decision lies within yourself based on what you've learned.
by Luke
∞ Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
That email alert thing was messing stuff up. I also lost a bunch of past comments; which makes me sad. Very sad.
by Paul
∞ Tuesday, June 9th, 2009