MAYBE IT’S TIME TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT

It’s crazy how we may not attempt something new in our lives, something out of our comfort zone because we are afraid to fail. Yet, the paradox is if we never take the risk into the unknown, we lose anyway.

History is replete with success stories with many, many failures behind them. Two of them we would all be familiar with are Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison. Both failed time and time again in their professional pursuits, but what made both men great was their determination not to give up and believe in their giftedness. Edison’s famous saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work” gives insight to that belief. A quote from CS Lewis gives further insight, “Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.”

It’s easy to sit back and play the critic of those who have tried and failed, but greatness is found in the act of trying. Teacher John Ortberg wrote a book “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat” that speaks to the heart of this thought. The title reference is to the Apostle Peter who was the only one willing to take the risk and step out of the boat. When he did his risk paid off big time until he began to doubt. The others in the boat thought it crazy, they had no faith, they wouldn’t take the chance.

Seventeen weeks ago I posted my first blog. In it I sited Richard N. Bolles from “What Color Is Your Parachute?”. Let me refresh your memory (yes we’re remembering) “We want to feel we’re put here on Earth for some special purpose, to do unique work that only we can accomplish.” I believe that with all of my heart. We are all uniquely gifted, God has created us that way. You can accomplish things I could never accomplish because of your gifts and vice versa. How exciting is that!

Many don’t pursue their calling, their dreams, because of fear….they think it’s too risky and other people around them think it’s crazy. But the desire, the passion continues to burn in their hearts. If this is your story, maybe it’s time to get out of the boat. Maybe it’s time to risk. Maybe it’s time to take that step of faith. And please don’t be afraid of failing. It appears that goes with the territory. So put Edison’s or Lewis’s quote in a place you can see as a reminder to persevere and do it.

Honest Abe was right, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

It’s a new day…live it!