Do you ever experience doubt?
Imagine a man trudging through the desert in search of water. He’s absolutely certain the water’s right over that next hill.
Of course, he was absolutely certain the water was right over the last hill as well.
The trip didn’t begin like this. When he started, the path was clearly marked and flat and straight. He prayed and planned, sought guidance and advice, received encouragement from people he trusted.
He was sure this was the correct path.
He didn’t worry when the first small hills appeared, or when the terrain became a bit barren and dry. You expect that sort of stuff when you’re on an important mission. He knew the importance of persistance and moving forward in faith.
He hardly noticed when the lush landscape gave way to harsh desert. But suddenly he looked around and realized that he’s slogging endlessly up one hill after another. The trail that seemed so clear now exists only in his mind—and there only as a faint memory.
Now what?
Perhaps this was never the right path. Perhaps only foolish stubbornness and pride kept him going this far, and wisdom means recognizing that this was simply the wrong idea at the wrong time. Perhaps “one more hill” is the mindless ranting of a heat-scrambled brain.
Or…maybe these obstacles are the enemy’s lies. Maybe the water IS right over that next hill, or the one after that. Maybe giving up now means squandering the opportunity of a lifetime.
Where’s the line between tenacity and obstinance? How does one discern when “enough is enough” and when you “never give up”?
Once there was a fictional character named Don Quixote who tilted at windmills. They wrote romantic songs about his quest, his impossible dream. It’s a great thought, to reach for that unreachable star. It’s a wonderful story.
But, in the end, he was still tilting at windmills.
Got doubt?
How do you respond when you’re sure about something and it doesn’t seem to work out?
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