As of Monday, April 7, 2008

Type of Doctor: Neurologist
New Symptoms: N/A
Diagnosis:

An Extension on “Strike Three?”

The Mets lost their chance to go to the World Series when one of their players struck out…looking. The Tigers lost the World Series when one of their players struck out…looking. I am beginning to believe that we should swing for the fences, because missing the opportunity to do something is worse than actually attempting it but failing. You see, I have been struggling with living a life that isn’t afraid of consequence, but consequence that isn’t necessarily bad or sinful.

I am a creature of habit. I tend not to wander outside my norms very often. I don’t go rock climbing because I have an intense fear of falling. I don’t do things on a whim. I don’t attempt much unless it is planned and unless I can control the outcome. But, ever since the lecture we had in Old Testament Literature on Ecclesiastes, I have been wondering how much I really am missing out on—not attempting much, not trying, not swinging for the fences. And it hit me: even if I miss the ball when I swing, at least I don’t have to live with the, “What if I would’ve swung?”. And that has made all the difference in the world.

God, in His rich grace and mercy, love us so much that, although we are living under/in a curse, He still wants us to enjoy the mortal life we have been given. He wants us to swing for the fences, He wants us to glorify Him by enjoying life, by living life. It is one thing to not want to do something because it is morally or biblically wrong, and those consequences should be taken to heart. But doing other things that aren’t biblically, morally, or culturally unacceptable…WHY NOT? What do you have to lose?

Ever since that lecture, my mind has been running a million miles a second. There are things that may hurt us emotionally or physically if we attempt, but with every chance bad, there is an equal chance of the outcome being “good.” And the question I have wrestled with is, “Does the opportunity for the good (let’s call it a homerun) outweigh the negative consequence that has an equal chance of occurring (let’s call it striking out)?”. I have to come to the conclusion that I will strike out every once-in-a-while—everybody does—but unless I chance it, I will not ever see a homerun.

God, I believe, wants us to swing for the fences. Abide by His Word and walk in the Spirit, but live life. Obey His commands, but enjoy life. Ecclesiastes 9.7 says, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.” Its time I start living that command.

I’ll close with my favorite line from one of my favorite songs: “I’m gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have and cannonball into the water.” Swing for the fences, because missing the opportunity is far worse than trying and failing.