The Most Dangerous Thing
A few years ago I may have listed one of these things:
1) Trips to third world countries in order to share Jesus
2) Driving on a highway without headlights (because the headlights didn’t work and we needed to get home)
3) Trying to walk on a roof without appropriate shoes
4) Stepping on an unattached 4×8 sheet of plywood
5) Walking along on the edge of any piece of lumber
6) Numerous teenage stunts, sins, and general idiocy
But by far the most I have hit my knees in prayer, the most I have felt out of control, the most I have been afraid and unsure is in the parenting of a teenager in this culture.
Comfort Seekers and Risk Takers Part 2
Neither of these are right or wrong. Depending upon the season of our lives one can definitely be better than the other. The trying issue is determining which of these we should be at this moment.
This is also compounded by several factors. Some take risks in order to acquire more comfort. Some refuse risk in order to maintain or even protect comfort. Some take risk without regard to comfort. Some are motivated by greed. Some are motivated by pride. Some are motivated by God. Some are motivated by guilt and shame. Some are motivated by a moral desire to just do the right thing.
So, the questions with which we are left are:
Is it the right time?
What is my motivation for seeking comfort or for taking risk?
What fears are involved?
When I fail is there room for redemption?
Comfort Seekers and Risk Takers
In this period of my life I have been reflecting on why I am doing what I am doing and whether or not the desires that consume me are worthy of being pursued.
What I have recognized is that I am standing at a threshold. Inside the doorway is a warm fire, a leather recliner, the smell of hot coffee and cinnamon is in the air, Barber’s Adagio for strings playing softly in the background and is slightly louder than the murmur of the company of people you love. I’m familiar with all of these and am drawn to these things. I may even long for them at the end of a long day.
On the other side of the doorway is also something I am drawn to and may even long for after a long day, but I am unfamiliar with it because it is only an idea and not a reality. It excites me, motivates me, ignites me to move and will move me…change me…drastically impact the reality I know. All of that is good but I an hindered from stepping across the threshold by the comfort of what I know and by the work that is going to be required if I do.
Work without a guarantee of success. Work that will result in blood, sweat and tears being shed. Work that will be painful emotionally and physically. Work that could destroy the opportunity to experience the comfort of what is inside the threshold.
What I have been trying to do is be a comfort seeking risk taker. What I have now understood is that those two things cannot coexist.