looking for a reason

Musings this week left me wondering just how often we make ignorance an excuse for not chasing our joys and dreams. I am a Christian, and as such, I want to do God’s will. Unfortunately, my life growing up in church has added some baggage alongside the good of that desire. After all, how do you know the will of God? I was raised in an environment that looked upon it as a tightrope, or a needle in a haystack. Even though I don’t believe this is true any longer, I still wrestle with it from time to time. And sometimes, I think it becomes a good excuse for staying in safe waters.

Have you ever walked away from a project with the sensation that you could really enjoy that? The sensation that you could also really do it? It’s usually at this point that some little voice begins to work its way in, asking if it’s the right pursuit. In my case, is it the best thing I can be doing for the kingdom of God. In my case, I am finding that many times this self interrogation is me reacting in fear. There is risk involved in trying. I might fail. However, without risk there will never really be success.

So I am striving forward, still listening should God direct me elsewhere, but feeling far more freedom to chase dreams of writing books and music, of art and dance. I must fight those little voices in me that are looking for reasons to play it safe. I won’t say it’s easy because it hasn’t been. It takes effort and practice to be courageous, but it is worth it.

What are those voices in your life? Where are you looking for reasons to remain comfortable and safe? Maybe it’s time to look at it in another way. Take the risk, and maybe you’ll find as I am beginning to, that God happens to be right there in the midst of it.