Action vs. Analysis
Ok, here I go again, quoting my friend John Richie . . .
“Action reveals options analysis will never find.”
I like this quote because it agrees with so many others woven into the fabric of my being. Like . . .
“You can’t steer a parked car.”
“Ready, fire, aim.”
“Try it, do it, fix it.”
The concept is simple: “Get out there!” Expose your heart, idea, product, process, or concept to the rigors of the real world. Listen to feedback. Make changes. Adjust quickly and decisively.
Fear of failure paralyzes so many of us. The idea of failing . . . of being wrong at the top of our voice, keeps us from starting. “Let’s think about this a bit more” can be a way of simply kicking the can down the road again and again. General George S. Patton Jr.’s quote . . .
“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”
Don’t get me (or John) wrong. Analysis is critical. Jesus was for analysis. In Luke 14, He cautioned about starting a building project without first analyzing the cost versus the available cash. And then He described a situation in war when the King analyzes the situation and with wise counsel, decides to negotiate rather than fight.
But Jesus was a man of action. And He calls us to be the same.
Let’s make this personal.
Are you analyzing the cost of being totally committed to your Heavenly Father? To your wife and kids? Do you think you have to get it all straight before you start? Are you analyzing the costs of following Jesus and waiting for it to be easy? Maybe you’re analyzing your finances, looking for a sensible way to begin tithing. Whatever it is, just get going! Consider this challenge from a famous Teddy Roosevelt speech . . .
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Challenge: Will you move forward in faith and trust the One who’s always with you and for you?
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Responses (1)
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24
Also reminds me of Mr. Newton sharing the lesson of Shamgar
start where you are, do what you can, with what you got (paraphrased)
Thanks Regi!