“Ignorance is bliss, but it’s still ignorance.” Daniel Fusco
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8
Importunate: “troublesomely urgent: overly persistent in request or demand” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Whitney and I recently got a cat. Her name is Millie and she’s an exploraholic. There isn’t an open door she doesn’t absolutely love. She’ll run the length of the house at the creak of a door opening in an effort to dart through and explore what’s on the other side. My first thought when I saw this was to wonder what it would be like if people were more like her. What if we had the courage to step through doors when they open, take opportunities when they arise, and explore the possibilities of the unknown? Is that inspiring? In some ways I guess it could be. Having been exposed to a lot of people who make inspiration their business I will tell you that there are many who would encourage being like my cat. They say things like, “Jump at every opportunity,” “Never leave a stone unturned,” and “Take advantage of every open door.” That’s a bunch of hooey. Yes, there are times when we should be ready to take advantage of opportunities offered us. But we really aren’t that different than my cat. We do have a tendency to be idiots (speaking especially for myself). You see, my cat puts herself in a lot of danger at times to get through the open doors. She has no idea what’s on the other side, only that she wants to see it. People can be more like her than we want to think. How many marriages have been torn apart by the luring opportunity to commit adultery? How many people have lost everything by taking a job at an exciting but failing company? How many people have lost their way in the curiosity of the excitement of drugs? There are doors, and opportunities, and adventures we need to say yes to. But first we need perspective. I know Millie shouldn’t go through certain doors because I have a perspective greater than hers. Do we have that perspective for ourselves? No. But there is one who does have that perspective. Our Heavenly Father knows and can see all. He knows what doors we should avoid and what opportunities we should take. He knows what will bring hardship and what will bring joy. And He knows the way out of the predicaments we get ourselves in. And so, it’s on our knees that we find His guidance. It’s with Him that we find the silver linings of hardship. And it’s in Him that we find rest for our souls. It’s not for us to pass through every open door. It’s for us to seek God and pray for guidance from His perspective. We will inevitably make mistakes, explore false opportunities, and get ourselves into trouble. “And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Daily Journaling Questions:
1. How did I help someone in kindness today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. What am I thankful for?
4. Who did I love today?
5. What am I dreaming of?
6. What about today do I want to remember forever?
7. What are my goals for tomorrow?
Thanks for reading,
Jake
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Daily Self Growth Journal Pt. IV
Non-FictionThis is the fourth part of a project called the "Daily Self Growth Journal." Its purpose is to prompt readers to journal through encouragement, motivation, and inspiration. In it, the first thing I do is provide a motivational, or inspirational qu...
