The Risk in Change
It's been almost 2 years exactly since my windshield was cracked... for the second time. It's been almost 3 years since my car started to sound like a tank.
I've written in the past on the danger of neglecting maintenance, using my car as an illustration - pointing out my unfounded fear of auto mechanics and the unknown of the expense that would be incurred if I actually got the problems fixed.
Last week I finally called a friends trusted mechanic, it was time to get it fixed regardless of the cost. I convinced myself that it would probably cost between $400-500 to fix everything and I would be ok with that.
To my surprise and relief, I picked up the car later in the day and it ended up being half the amount!
As I drove away, my car felt new - in fact instead of rumbling it purred. I heard things and noticed more things I had taken for granted. My eyes couldn't help but now gravitate towards the cracks I grown accustom to looking through. Since I saved some money that I had budgeted - I called and found out I could get the windshield also fixed and still be under my total budget! So yesterday, it happened - my windshield now fixed and my car is now officially in the best shape it has been in years.
I can't believe I waited so long to fix it all.
I want to keep making things better.
I like this feeling, this pride.
I want this to happen in more areas of my life.
I know what kept me so long from making changes - it was fear. I was willing to forego even the potential of some thing good, because there was a possibility of more frustration, bad, and/or hurt occurring.
I'd like to say that my response is solely related and connected to my automotive phobias but it isn't. Fear so often has infiltrated my decision making, my relationships, my pursuits of goals and hopes. Now, my personality is one that can find comfort in pain often willingly taking on that of others but I also know that I am not alone in letting my life being lead by fear.
As people of faith, our prayers and cries are often asking for reprieve, for a second chance, for things to be made right. We long for God's response to be mighty and strong, parting the waters and making our lives different in some sort of extraordinary way.Maybe we've limited our perspective on God's response, maybe God is answering and that answer is simply giving us another moment, another second, another day to step, to risk, to be our own answer to the prayer. Maybe the solution to your struggle is right in front of you and God is longing for you to step, in faith.
Tired of being single? Ask someone on a date.
Tired of being tired? Make time to rest.
Tired of not having your voice heard? Speak up.
Tired of a friendship being difficult? Name it and work with your friends.
Yes, these are simple answers. Yes, it's not that simple. But if we are not willing to change how we currently live, we should not expect things to change. If we are willing to risk, even if that means getting hurt, our lives and the world around us will change.
And the first step in change is changing our mindset... even if it's just concerning mechanics.
May we risk.