All Or Nothing

Does anyone else struggle with "all or nothing" thinking? That is, if I can't do it all, I won't do any of it. Or, if I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all.

Someone with this kind of thinking probably doesn't start a mission. I got an amazing call today from a government employee with the justice department who said he came to our Love Your Neighbour Banquet and was pleased with our outcomes. Well, only educators and strategic planners use the word outcomes! Turns out he is the latter and would like to work with me as a volunteer coach. Well that is just an answer to prayer and I am tickled pink.

In my conversation with this consultant, I told him that practically overnight, with the merger of Regina RESCUE Mission and Souls Harbour, our mission burst into bloom! That means we've been very busy! Amazing, thrilling blessings have come to us from God and His people, and in processing all of this, we often joke about being "Kramerica!"

This Seinfeld Reference is from an episode where Kramer starts a business out of his home, and hires an intern to work for him. He ends up doing Kramer's laundry and other personal errands. And Kramer, in his deluded state, is conducting all kinds of strange non-essential business. All in all, it's chaos and confusion.

And so, our Kramerica Interns or new employees, before they know it, are immersed, as trial by fire, and suddenly they need everything perfect. They find themselves running in a million directions, needing to respond to the many requests one gets working on the front lines day and night. It's a natural reaction to stress to want to make everything perfect. That balance between tough love and grace doesn't come naturally for most, but is learned with patience and perseverance.

We see people with depression struggle with this desire to make everything black or white. It's based on a need to simplify stress and narrow it down to right and wrong. No grey. Unfortunately, Scripture doesn't speak to this.

In fact, we are told to live by our own conscience. People with a depressive tendency may choose to polarize their thinking, but it doesn't make for an individual relationship with God. Yes, there are certain things that are absolutely right or absolutely wrong. But, what advice did Jesus give to the woman who had "no husband." Indeed, he said she had "five husbands."

Life is complicated. So, what do you make of this verse?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. -Matt 19:21

It means, God wants your heart. It means, give Him what you have. This day. This hour. This minute.

It all boils down to people. Walk a mile in their shoes. Do what is best for them. Love them as you love yourself.

Well, I should go. I blew my diet this afternoon so I'm going to go pig out on ice cream cake.