You were about to raise your hand, but then when your perspective seemed to zoom out, allowing you to see how small you are in the crowd, you started to doubt about raising your hand.
What was it that I was about to say? Does it even matter?
Nah, I’ll pass. I might be wrong about my idea, and this crowd will laugh at me. I’ll just make myself look stupid.
Ah, yes, we do not want to be in the spotlight, especially when it is for ridicule.
Ironically, our fear of failure keeps us from discovering possibilities.
What if you did it anyway?
What if, instead of holding yourself back, you submitted that resume, started a “poorly-written” draft, or said hi.
What if you did it anyway?
Unless you try, you wouldn’t know, right?
And if you didn’t try, and it could’ve worked, you missed the alternative future you might have been waiting for.
As a follower of Jesus, the key verse that drives me to brave out starting new things is this:
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
God’s promise gives me hope. And makes me braver to give it a try.
jessa 