Exploring a framework of intentional purpose, vision, direction, and action for life

Living in fear sucks. Feeling afraid to make a move, or not knowing what to do. Afraid to mess up and make things worse.

I often think I can sit and just wait for the solution to come on its own. I think that the answer will just present itself, and the problem will go away. I’ll tuck my head under the covers and wait. 

Failure to act when it is called for, hurts. 

It hurts me. It hurts those close to me. Recently, I watched again as my passivity caused hurt to someone I deeply care about.

For me, passivity is and has been so often the norm. Taking intentional action to move in the direction of real convictions and truth, in the right way at the right time, is often the exception.

Failure to do this though, results in damage.

What does passivity look like in a man?

The oldest and first example I know of is Genesis 3:6: “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it too.”

Adam knew what God had said (Genesis 2:17). He was there. And he was there again when Eve took the fruit, ate, and offered some to him. He first stood by, silent. And then, he ate. 

For me,

“Well I really don’t know so I’ll let her decide (that way I can blame her/them if it goes wrong)” 

“I don’t know the best option, so I’m going to choose to do nothing.” 

“I think I know what the right thing to do is, but I’m afraid, so I’ll sit here and hope the solution just comes or someone else solves this.

“I’ll stay silent. I’m afraid to speak or move towards what I believe is right”

How does it hurt?

It doesn’t feel right or good. I know it’s not what is intended for my life. 

Inward turmoil. Feelings of failure. Feelings of guilt and shame. Confusion. Inadequacy.

It leads to tension and tearing in the fibers of my being. 

Outwardly, it hurts. It can place a weight on others they are not meant to carry. It can lead to a build up of resentment in others for your failure to act when you should have. Do you have other examples?

How do we find a solution to this?

I think that the root causes of fear need to be addressed. What keeps us from taking action? Or moving towards the right path? 

In order to do this, we need to know what the right path actually is. What is truth? What guides you? Who influences you?  That will determine how, when we choose to take action, we respond to these tricky situations life brings. 

The good news is that stepping out of passivity is healing. It brings peace. Guys, passivity is not the intended blueprint for our lives. Operating within the framework a man is made for actually works. It feels right. It is right. 

What does that framework look like? I am still learning. more to come….’

“The Lord is good and does what is right, He shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.” Psalm 25:9

Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? I’m curious.

gerberxc@gmail.com