The excuses keep coming. From illness to competing priorities, from visitors to great dinners, from one reason to another, the excuses never end! On one hand, I am told that there is progress. Work has been put in; pen has been on paper. In the other hand, I have nothing. As life passes I cannot see any evidence of a step left, right, or forward.
His motions are hypnotizing. I step back and reflect on what has changed in the past 90 days. I struggle to find anything of substance. In the time that has passed, I see more of the same.
I am sympathetic. The pull of old habits is a hard one to break. I keep doing what works for me, even if it does not help those around me. I want to ignore reality. Life seems easier that way!
I looked at how others have struggled with situations where progress and learning are absent. It is an old problem across all areas of our lives. In one case, there was a biting observation and a suggestion. “So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn’t help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn’t get in the way of unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14.23)
I have no answer for another’s excuses. I know that I have an opportunity to learn from his steps.
Simple is often better than complex. Taste and satisfaction in food trumps fancy presentations. Doing the basics right is the beginning.
Our actions can be measured. Did we do the stuff? Is the output on the table? If the results are missing, what does this tell us?
Ignoring reality never changes the fact that what we are doing is not a positive step. We can deceive ourselves. We can bluff, lie, or mislead. Regardless, the present is willing to tell the truth to anyone willing to listen.
Today’s movement will be a new chapter.
