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There
are very few things in life that frustrate some people more than unexpected
changes in the weather. Such changes can sometimes create significant
challenges to their plans … be it a family picnic, a walk in
the park or the need to finally mow the lawn.
Likewise, there are few things in life
that frustrate us in our personal and professional relationships as
much as unexpected “changes in the whether.” Never knowing
for certain whether a person will do one thing or another definitely
creates challenges in the performance of the relationships of our
lives. It is unfortunate that we do not have the psychological technology
to check a person’s “whether report” so that we
can have a better understanding of how to approach that person on
a given occasion.
No one enjoys enduring the effects of
double-mindedness. Have you been around people who are always changing
their mind about things? Have you known the frustration that comes
from people who are inconsistent in their beliefs and in their position
on various issues? Few people ever feel very comfortable around people
who are capricious or wishy-washy.
Evidently, God agrees. In the book of
Revelation (chapter 3), he chides the ancient church for being “lukewarm”
in their actions, indicating that he would prefer them to be hot or
cold. It’s similar to an admonition that was popular during
my younger years when people would say: Do something; even if it’s
wrong! In other words, no one wants to deal with indecision. Show
some resolve, and take some action.
One of the most difficult attitudes
for people to tolerate is an attitude of indifference. In fact, psychologists
tell us that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. You
may not like being the recipient of hate, but at least you know what
you’re dealing with. Not so with indifference. Strangely enough,
there are people who can endure a hate-filled relationship, but they
cannot remain in a relationship characterized by indifference.
If you were to analyze some of the more
successful people in business, you would no doubt find a number of
common key elements and characteristics. Among them would be the ability
to remain focused, the ability to have a clear vision, and the ability
to follow a plan.
What you will not likely find, however,
is a spirit of double-mindedness or a sense of indifference to the
team’s objectives or to the people who are called upon to fulfill
those goals.
But what about you? Are you a person
of your word? Are you loyal to the people around you? And are you
able to avoid double-mindedness in your life and in your relationships?
I would certainly encourage you to remain
loyal to the crucial causes of your life and to the people who surround
you. I would encourage you to remain true to your goals and vision,
while you maintain a standard of diligence.
Work hard to stay focused. Work hard
to develop a vision. Work hard to follow the plan. And beware of changes
in the whether.
There are obviously many dangers involved
with being a double-minded person. And if you ever have difficulty
keeping your focus and sticking to a plan, you may end up becoming
like the little boy who was overheard talking to himself as he strutted
through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a bat and
ball.
"I'm the greatest hitter in the world," he announced to
no one in particular.
Then, he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. "Strike
One!" he yelled.
Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, "I'm the greatest
hitter in the world!"
He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down, he swung again
and missed. "Strike Two!" he cried.
The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully.
He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his
cap and proclaimed with conviction, "I'm the greatest hitter
in the world!"
Once again he tossed the ball up in the air, swung at it, and missed.
"Strike Three!"
Suddenly, he shouted with renewed confidence, "Wow! I'm the greatest
pitcher in the world." |
