A few weeks ago, I was listening to an audiobook. The author was explaining how many people don’t live to their full potential. They will achieve 40% or 60% of what is possible, and then stop.
While listening to that I scribbled a phrase on a notecard that’s stuck in my brain since….
What if I tried?
The reason this phrase has been on my mind is to be honest, I haven’t really been trying lately. This doesn’t mean I’ve been lazy doing nothing (in fact its the opposite!) but my attitude towards many things in life has been passive. I’d do the work…but not really try.
Passiveness is one of the most popular sins in the world today. Because it can easily creep into your life just like it did mine.
There are many reasons why we don’t try
- We are distracted
- We are discouraged (give up)
- We are afraid of failure
- We are lazy (the work is just too hard)
- or We have been attacked
But my reason for not trying is much more subtle……
it’s just easier!
It’s easy to give 40% or 60% of ourselves to a job so that it looks good instead of doing our best. And each time we choose comfort over excellence it develops a habit. Like me you can slowly develop a lifestyle that doesn’t try.
I don’t share this for pity, but because you walk with me on the mission field. This means you get to see me on my good days, and you get to see me on my bad ones.
Friends if passiveness can creep in while on the mission field, it can creep in anywhere! Like me allow the Holy Spirit to examine your life.
Then don’t ask if you are busy.
ask if you really try.
Johnhwilburn.org 
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