Trouble was sleeping when I passed
Not like I hadn’t enough on my hands
Not like I was looking for drama:
I didn’t know it was boiling distress
Waiting to be stirred, waiting to explode.
It wore a nice tone, a friendly face
I was hungry for action; I wanted well
I wanted to pave the way, set the pace
Spread goodness, reach more, faster
So I went the way that seemed straight
Now full of twists and turns and farther
And slippery and sloppy and strenuous
A wearying path, a trap, a distraction
From the singular mission I should pursue.
I opened a door to overwhelming cares
I confess, good intentions lured me out:
Good intentions are not always enough!
Food For Thought: Many times we set out meaning to do good but intentions are not guarantees that the mission will be accomplished. Intentions may be a great place to start but they are not enough in themselves to accomplish the expected outcomes. There are many other factors in between that play significant roles, like finding the right path that leads to where we are headed, knowing the right way to walk that path, being able to stay on the path irrespective of challenges, being sensitive to pick our battles lest we be distracted and slain by what we weren’t prepared enough for, understanding our times and seasons and walking contentment irrespective of pressures, knowing when to back off and flee, and being in readiness to persist where we should until we see the expected end. It takes commitment, discipline and fortitude to get there so you see, intention is not enough. And discernment is critical: being able to know and stay within the limits of our capabilities, knowing when to move, how far to go per time, when to push certain boundaries, and when not to dare. Without these, many travelers on the path of life have been slain before their time because they opened the door to what they thought was good; they took a path that appeared great; they got involved in what seemed an opportunity that cannot be turned down. In addition to great intentions, faith, grace, and courage, we need also to learn our limits and to respect them.
Scripture: A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. Proverbs 22: 3.
Prayer: Dear Lord, kindly guide me to displace simple-mindedness with wisdom so I can learn to discern, escape, and overcome troubles on my path, amen.