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Causes of Poor Choices- Part Two

Fearful of disappointing or upsetting others, we often grudgingly make unwise choices.  After all, who wants to be rejected?  Attempting to meet the expectations of others, however, can be unhealthy.  If we let it, this longing for acceptance will lead us to compromise our values, and misplace our priorities.  Now, don’t misunderstand.  Nothing is wrong with pleasing others.  By all means, love your neighbor as you love yourself (Mark 12:31).  But if you fail to nurture yourself, then you’ll limit your capacity to help others.  If you desire to lead a productive life, then resist the temptation to be at the beck and call of others all the time.  You cannot be all things to all people.  You cannot be everywhere every time.  When you attempt to jump every hurdle that others place before you, you only invite frustration into your life. 

Causes of Poor Choices- Part One

Peer pressure is a major cause of poor choices.  I recall falling to the temptation of peer pressure as a first-grader.  I broke one of my parents many commandments: Don’t trade any toys that we buy you.  Right after school one day, I foolishly traded my brand new, state of the art Transformer—Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots—for an older kid’s shabby toy.  Later that evening, my mother inquired about the unfamiliar toy on my dresser: “Son, where did you get this from?  I don’t remember buying this….And before you answer, think about the consequences of lying in this house.”  My knees began to knock.  I thought about lying, but I chickened out.  When I confessed to the crime, Mom did something worse than spank me.  She actually walked with me to the boy’s house to ask for my toy back!  Though I was humiliated, I learned a valuable lesson: Don’t let other people get you into trouble!   

TAKE INITIATIVE

In order to become who and what God has called you to be, you must take initiative.  Luke 18:38 reports that, after he realizes that Jesus is in his vicinity, the blind beggar successfully gains the Lord's attention: "He called out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'"  Instead of waiting on Jesus to initiate this encounter, this man makes his presence felt.  He demonstrates his faith by taking initiative.  Therefore, the beggar regains his sight (18:43).  And if you're to experience the extraordinary in your life, you, too, must take initiative.

Those who desire to live the life worth living make things happen.  They initiate positive change.  They know what they want.  When Jesus questions him about his desire, the blind man, without any hesitation, aptly makes his desire known.  This man knows exactly what he wants.  Now, let me ask you this: Do you know what you want the Lord to do for you?  Where do you want him to take you?  How do you want him to shape you?  How do you want him to use you?  What do you want him to show you?  What do you want him to give you?  Where do you need him to heal you?  To avoid wandering through life aimlessly, it’s essential that you know what you want out of life.  When you know what you want, you draw one step closer to achieving success. 

Moreover, there are consequences for failing to take initiative.  To illustrate, let's consider the life of famous Peanuts character Charlie Brown, who was the epitome of pessimism, with an uncanny knack for winning your heart with his losing ways.  This considerate, friendly, and polite fellow couldn't win a baseball game to save his life.  His chances of successfully flying a kite were not much better.  But I'm mostly concerned with Charlie Brown's unfulfilled desire to get to know that anonymous little red-haired girl mentioned throughout the comics.

Recently, I came across two scenes in particular that capture the point I wish to make.  In the first scene, as he spots the red-head across the way, Charlie Brown sits on the school hallway steps in deep thought: “It’s stupid to just sit here and admire that little red-haired girl from a distance.  It’s stupid not to get up and go over and talk to her…it’s really stupid…it’s just plain stupid…So why don’t I go over and talk to her?  Because I’m stupid!”

In this next scene, as he passes by her classroom, good Ol’ Charlie Brown notices the object of his affection sitting at her desk.  Again, he ponders to himself about this anonymous little red-head: “I’d give anything to be able to talk with that little red-haired girl…The amazing thing is that I KNOW I’m the sort of person she’d like!  I mean I’m not rough or crude or anything.  I’m not the greatest person who ever lived, of course.  But after all, who is?  I’m just a nice sort of guy who…who never gets to meet little red-haired girls!”  He then walks away with his head down and his hands in his pocket.

Now, what can we learn from good Ol’ Charlie Brown?  His testimony highlights the consequences of failing to take initiative.  Because he didn’t take initiative, his desire to know the little red-haired girl was left unfulfilled.  Because he didn’t take initiative, he missed his opportunity to get what he wanted.  Learn from Charlie Brown.  Don’t miss your moment.  Don’t let your opportunity to experience the extraordinary pass you by.  Take initiative.  Be radical enough to take a risk, extreme enough to test the waters, and bold enough to try.