When is the last time you took a dare?
A dare is when we have the courage to do something . . . something typically outside our comfort zones.
Doing new things – well, that’s scary. For anyone, typically. That’s why organizations like churches which are made up of a bunch of people that don’t want to take risks end up stuck in ruts. Doing new things pushes the “group” beyond what is comfortable. Thus, they continue to do “the same thing” and get the same results, which over time becomes less and less effective.
I’m pretty prone to taking risks in my “work world” and typically just take a big “gulp” and do whatever needs to be done. But personally – that’s a different story. I’d prefer to make sure I’m in an environment I understand and can somewhat control. I don’t like feeling embarrassed or hurt. Therefore, I like playing it safe in my personal world.
Recently I found myself nervous because I was going to be in a totally new environment. One where I knew no one, no one would know me, and the other thing that defines me (being a pastor) would have no relevance whatsoever. I was going to have to rely on my personality, period.
The last thing I want to do in situations like that is say something stupid, make a fool of myself, etc. And those things are always potentials.
So I found myself sitting amidst a sea of people . . . and debating. “Do I open my mouth and try to meet new people or do I just sit here quietly, let time pass, and then just go on my way?”
I made it about 15 minutes then decided it is not in my nature just to sit and be quiet . . . so I made chit chat with the lady next to me. At the end of the day she’d shared her story with me and I felt as if I’d made a new friend. I realized at the end of the day my soul had even more joy because new people had entered it! I love people! So meeting new ones always brings new life to me. However, I have to overcome my fears of being perceived as silly, stupid, etc. in order to risk investing myself in new people/situations around me.
Soren Kierkegaard said, “To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.”
We all have areas in our lives where we need to claim boldness.
We all need to begin taking some dares so that we can live into being the vibrant, fully alive people God created us to be.
We will explore how DARES can change our lives for the better over these next few weeks at West!
What dare can you take today that will push you just a little out of your comfort zone?
Take the leap!
Grace and Peace,
Andrea