BLOG: Dreams and Adverse Winds

Too many of us stand on the dock waiting.

We want the ship in place, the gangplank perfectly positioned, the weather right and an engraved invitation before we’re willing to launch out. It will never happen! Dreams don’t move toward us, we have to move toward them.

“He who observes the wind, will never sow,” Ecclesiastes 11:4 NKJV. My hope is by sharing the following challenge it will provide a new determination for us when we face the winds of adversity in our lives.

It’s time to quit waiting for perfection, inspiration, permission, reassurance, someone to change, the right person to come along, the kids to leave home, the new administration to take over, an absence of risk, someone to discover you, a clear set of instructions, more self-confidence or the pain to go away.

Instead of saying, ‘We’ve never done it before,’ say, ‘We have an opportunity to be the first.’ Instead of saying,  ‘we don’t have the resources,’ say, ‘Necessity fuels invention.’ Instead of saying, ‘There’s not enough time,’ say, ‘We’ll change how we work.’ Instead of saying, ‘We’ve already tried that,’ say, ‘We learned from experience.’ Instead of saying, ‘We don’t have the expertise,’ say, ‘Let’s network with those who do.’ Instead of saying, ‘Our vendors and customers won’t go for it,’ say, ‘Let’s show them the opportunities.’

Instead of saying, ‘We don’t have the money,’ say, ‘Maybe others believe in this mission too.’ Instead of saying, ‘We’re understaffed,’ say, ‘We’re a lean, hungry machine.’ Instead of saying, ‘It will never get any better,’ say, ‘We’ll try one more time.’ Instead of saying, ‘Let somebody else do it,’ say, ‘I’m ready to learn something new.’ Instead of saying, ‘It’s not my job,’ say, ‘I’ll be glad to take the responsibility.’”

We all face various types of adversity in our lives. When we do we have a choice, to let adversity stop us, leave us on hold, or put us in a position where we say, “I’m never going to see my dream come true.” Our bottom line decision will determine whether we just stay sitting on the dock or determined to set sail even though conditions are not perfect. “Instead of saying, ‘I can’t,’ say, ‘By God’s grace I can.’”