A Less Good Idea

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Rev. Andy Odom. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. (Psalm 139:23)

How many times have you come up with what you think is the greatest idea ever, and then it never goes anywhere? Or, how often have you been given what someone else thinks is the perfect thing for you to do, but you never did much with it at all?

So often we find ourselves looking for that great idea or what is often referred to as “the magic bullet,” something that, if every single person would simply do it, we would all be much better off. The thing is, that’s really not how life works. We each have different interests and passions, and we each have different things we are willing to put our energy into.

Perhaps in searching for that one great idea, we are going about it the wrong way. Perhaps we simply need to focus more on what we are able to do right here, right now.

A friend of mine recently had a post on her blog called, “The Less Good Idea.” Here are a couple of lines from it:

• A Less Good Idea someone comes up with for their own life is better than your great idea for them that doesn’t require thinking and self-responsibility on their part.
• A Less Good Idea you can carry out all year is better than a great idea (resolution) that fizzles out by the end of January.
• A Less Good Idea that you have energy for, is better than a great idea that feels like an obligation. The emotional drag you will feel will turn a great idea into a far less good idea.

I think there’s good wisdom here. Rather than put all of your efforts into some great idea that is likely to never go far, give serious thought to “the less good idea” that actually has some potential.

Prayer: Generous and loving Lord. You are the great giver. You give us energy for the day and for everything we do. Help us invest our energy in what we are able to do right here, right now. Remind us that even the smallest things we do in this world can make a difference, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.