Enjoying the Comfort

We have owned this couch for several years now. It isn't one we purchased, but was a hand-me-down gift from friends as they were moving. My wife recovered it and we bought new pillows for it, but it's definitely an old couch. I suppose we could buy a new one, but this one is still comfortable and it doesn't cost me anything to keep. If we were to buy a new couch we would have to shop around for a good bargain, find something we could agree on, and decide if it fits in our house. It's just easier to keep the old one since I already know what I've got and there is no risk involved.

What might seem like solid logic for furniture isn't necessarily the best guide for other decisions in my life. Always staying with something comfortable and familiar doesn't open up new opportunities and pathways of influence. Even though there is very little risk in sticking with old patterns and methods, there also isn't a great opportunity for growth. The truth is we won't discover if something fits us until we give it a shot. We might find the newness is more comfortable than we thought possible once we risk the opportunity in front of us.

No Regrets?

It's common to hear people say they want to live a life of no regrets. This is usually fueled by the idea of taking risks and not wanting to lament missed opportunities later in life. The underlying philosophy is that anything from our past has only helped to make us who we are today. Even if things don't end up as planned, it was still a risk worth taking.

The trials and tough circumstances of my life have certainly helped to shape me into the man I have become. Even though it is true that doesn't mean I live without regrets. There are many decisions I have made I wish I could take back. There have been words spoken carelessly and hurtfully, actions committed without thought of impact and repercussion, and attitudes which have permanently damaged relationships. Just because I have managed to overcome some of these doesn't mean I don't regret those decisions.

Maybe the healthiest approach to this kind of life is to make sure I don't choose to do something that will bring regrets--either from missing out on opportunities or causing pain to people around me. It can be an admirable life focus as long as it's not used as an excuse for poor decision making.

Experienced?

If we want today to be a different experience than a year ago we have to change something in us. We either adopt lasting habits, learn new skills, take some risks, or choose to react in different ways to our environment. It's the changes we make each year that create unique experiences for us. If we are unwilling to engage in something new, we shouldn't expect to see something we haven't already seen.

Doing the exact same thing for 20 years doesn't give us 20 years of experience. It gives us one year of experience repeated 20 times.

It's a Risk

Most of us fear rejection. We don't like to take a risk and then be summarily dismissed. It can be an intimidating prospect to be rejected for a job, a date, or an opportunity. It's much more painful if we feel that action is directed specifically at our identity.

John Powell wrote in his book, Why I Am Afraid To Tell You Who I Am?, "I am afraid to tell you who I am, because, if I tell you who I am, you may not like who I am, and it's all that I have." We avoid personal honesty & transparency because that puts us at tremendous risk of injury if it isn't received well. While we might feel that constructing a facade to hide our true selves behind will keep us safe, it will also ensure the lack of real relationship & community. We won't ever be able to enjoy depth in our most personal relationships and will become increasingly isolated.

I'm not suggesting that we need to rent a billboard to advertise our true selves or spew all of it out via social media. Instead we make an intentional effort with a select few people to share who we really are. It's a risky endeavor, but one that brings depth in its rewards.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Good Beginning

The Kansas City Royals are in the World Series for the first time since 1985 and I couldn't be happier. It's refreshing to see someone new on the main stage and I'm hoping they are able to pull of the final four wins they need to be champions. It's been a long journey of struggling and rebuilding for them and while their success is the culmination of  dedication and talent, there have also been some decisions made that have helped them achieve their goals.

A couple of years ago the Royals traded away a great outfielder for a couple of pitchers (James Shields & Wade Davis). At the time, many people were unsure that this was the best move, but it is certain that they would not be winning today without taking this risk. Sports journalist Andy Martino wrote the following about the Royals management:

"The Royals did have a sharp view of exactly where their franchise was: Their timetable for contention, and their own talent. Now they are in the World Series, with Shields starting Game 1. Perhaps self-awareness is the new market inefficiency.

When you talked to Royals people in the winter of that trade (and now), you saw that they knew what they were..."

Visionary leaders are not only consumed with the potential of what might be possible, but are also keenly aware of current circumstances. Can we effectively assess ourselves, our families, and the other people we lead? Are we able to accurately measure the present even as we look to the future? A powerful dream is compelling and it requires an properly measured beginning to become a reality.

Winning Ticket

My wife and I will sometimes talk about the things we could do if we won the lottery. We share extravagant dreams, missions we could support, places we could visit, and people we could help. The biggest problem with this conversation isn't our improbably odds on winning the lottery or even the potential ethical dilemma associated with "gambling." The biggest obstacle to us winning is that we don't play. We laugh about our conversations, but the truth is that we will never come close to winning a multi-million dollar Powerball lottery simply because we've never purchased a ticket.

You don't have a chance to win if you aren't in the game. If there is some area that you want to find success you will have to take a step of action or nothing will ever happen.

Unpredictable

I love March Madness. There is a thrill to the national tournament that rivals any other postseason sporting event. Some athletes will step into the spotlight and become part of tournament legend while others will wilt under the pressure of expectations and millions of viewers. There will always be a upset or two as some favored team under-performs and an underdog makes all of the right shots. It's exciting to watch and (almost) impossible to predict with 100% certainty. In fact, I believe the unpredictability is one of the most compelling factors to the NCAA tournament's success. No matter how much the experts believe they are right there will always be some games that defy logic and expectation.

I think this is attractive to us even though our brackets might be affected because the uncertain outcomes don't really have an effect on our lives. Unpredictability is enticing to watch from a distance, but much less pleasant when it directly involves our personal lives. The thrill of the unknown is compelling as long as it doesn't change what we have to deal with ourselves. We'd rather watch it and enjoy a second-hand thrill than have to figure out how to adapt when our own world gets turned upside down. It's the difference in being a thrill-seeker/risk-taker and a voyeur.

No Regrets

I've seen people who tattoo this on themselves as a symbol of their willingness to take risks. Adopting this as a life philosophy is sometimes used as validation for poor decision making and an excuse for recklessness. In spite of that possibility I want to adopt this motto for my own life. I don't intend for it to be a license to take foolish risks, but instead as motivation to leverage every opportunity:

• Always telling my family that I love them
• Stopping what I'm doing to have conversations with my daughters
• Giving my wife a good night kiss
• Holding my wife's hand whenever I can
• Praying for people in the moment they ask
• Taking risks of generosity with our finances
• Seeing strangers in need and engaging them in that moment
• Seizing a unique opportunity of faith that takes us out of our normal routine
• Investing in a potential leader who might not fit the typical mold
• Breaking out of routines and stretching my thinking
• Establishing new disciplines that help me overcome poor lifelong habits

I don't want to have a ton of regrets at the end of my life, but I want to make sure it's for the right reasons.

Losing

What do I have to lose?

We often ask this question when we are thinking about taking a risk. We ask it in a passing fashion without really stopping to answer the question, but cursorily dismissing the possible risks and simply forging ahead. I'm not opposed to risk taking (in fact, it's the only way to see truly great things happen) but there is wisdom in stopping to ask what we could potentially lose with this choice. Are we really taking a leap of faith that will bring growth & benefit or are we simply pursuing selfish ambition & satisfaction?

With some decisions, we can lose everything that matters to us:

• Financial stability
• Our marriages
• The respect of our children
• Trust
• Confidence in our faith
• The right to speak with wisdom
• The right to lead

Be wise in your decision-making. Don't let people influence you who don't have the same things to lose that you do. Make sure that God is the one guiding you to take a risk of faith. Understand that there will be consequences for all decisions (both good and bad) and be sure you're ready to face them as a result of your choice. Know what it is that you have to lose & make the right move before taking the leap. 

Risky Easter

We moved away from our main campus and our normal multiple services this Easter to have one huge event at the Centennial Center at Georgia College. We wanted to do something completely different from the normal routine in hopes of reaching people who might not ordinarily attend a church service. We've invested creative energy, finances, personal invitation, faithful prayers, and detailed planning to see it succeed. We aren't sure exactly what will happen, but we're trusting that God will deliver His intended result.

It's a risky move to change what people are used to, but we believe that you need to take that risk to see a reward. When you're trying to reach a community that isn't sure about Jesus, there's nothing (short of sin) that is outside the realm of possibility.

Taking a Chance

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)

Even though the disciples knew Jesus and the evidence was right in front of them, some of them weren't willing to take the risk of fully engaging Him. If that was true of people who had the risen Messiah in their presence should we expect any less from us today? 

The truth is that there is great risk involved in following Christ. Changing our life focus can mean giving up our reputation, the security we have worked to create, our social status, our family position, and even close relationships. If we choose not to take those steps of faith however, we see that Christ continues ahead with His plan. The Great Commission was given even in the face of people who were unsure of their commitment. The challenge remains the same: to reach the world. God's success doesn't hinge on our faithful obedience even if God desires to use us to bring it to fruition. 

The irony is that unwillingness to gamble everything on Christ is actually an ill-advised risk that you are right about eternity and God is not. 

What Matters

What is really important? I find my focus wandering to the small details of far too many things. The urgency of these tasks in front of me can be overwhelming. My schedule can become repetitive as we get caught in the current of the stream of "got to keep pace." In the process it becomes easier to march forward checking off the same patterns of thought and behavior from week to week.

I believe this is one of the greatest traps of satan. He doesn't necessarily need us to wander off into horribly destructive lives of sin. He just whispers and urges us to stay so focused on keeping up with the same thing from week to week that we forget what really matters. We end up neglecting the motivation behind our lives and the excitement of following Christ. We ignore God's voice telling us to take risks and reduce it to a mere whisper that we can cover with the volume of our life of routine. 

Intently following the King is what matters. Placing our full confidence in living a life that is worthy of our calling is a grand adventure worth chasing after. It reorganizes our agenda and adds an element of risk and faith that makes this life exciting. When we lose sight of that we are no longer swept along in the speed-driven current of the Holy Spirit, but are instead sitting in kiddie pools of poorly disguised contentment. 

Fast moving water is refreshing and challenging. Small, shallow pools of still water fill up with stagnant filth as we become too timid to move.