Despite Guideposts Magazine’s continued refusal to add me to their “Most Beautiful Christian Bloggers” issue I do go to the gym. (That list is so political these days and is really about who you know.)
Not only do I go to the gym, I actually have a trainer. Why?
1. It’s a great chance for me and my friend Chris to hang out.
2. I get fat otherwise. Especially now that I’m traveling some, and most of my meals at the airport start with a “B” and end with a “urrito.”
Our trainer’s name is Adam, and sometimes I hate him. But that’s a good thing. If you don’t hate your trainer or workout partner sometimes, then they’re not helping you really get in shape. But, recently, I noticed I was pulling a trick on Adam pretty regularly.
When we’re in the middle of the workout, and I feel like I could maybe throw up or pass out or just pass out in my own throw up, I do something sneaky. I ask him to clarify the directions.
I’ll pause for a second and say, “Wait a minute, can you explain this exercise again? Where are my legs supposed to go? And are my arms at this angle or this angle?” I ask a battery of questions, hoping against hope that he won’t realize we’ve done that exercise a hundred times before, and I’m just stalling because I don’t want to do it again.
I fake a need for clarity so that I don’t have to do something I don’t want to do.
Which is a crazy thing to do, but what’s even crazier is that I do it with God.
Have you ever done that?
Has there ever been something that you know you’re supposed to do. God’s put something on your heart and your mind. It’s clear you’re called to do it, but it’s hard. Or uncomfortable or awkward. And instead of doing it, you say to yourself, “I better pray about this some more. God, I’m going to need a little more clarity on this one.”
And it doesn’t have to be something epic like you moving to Africa to become a missionary. It can be as simple as you admitting that the verse “love your neighbor” applies to how you treat your coworkers.
“Dear God, I’m not completely sure what you’re saying in that verse. I’d start being kind to Mark, the guy who heats up seafood in the office break room, today if I could just get a little more detail from you on what you’re actually asking me. Little bit of clarity would help. Thanks.”
Maybe you’ve never done that. Maybe you don’t use prayer as a hiding place sometimes. Maybe you don’t ask for more clarity when the call is perfectly clear. Maybe you don’t seek 47 sources of wise counsel as a way to prevent yourself from doing something you know you’re supposed to do.
But if you’re like me, chances are, there’s something you’ve been holding back on. Some call, some action, some step you’ve got to take. And today is the time to stop asking for clarity and instead start asking for courage. The courage to get started.
Question:
Have you ever resisted doing something you felt called to do?
