Don’t Let “Almost” Be Your Theme in New Year

 

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is one of my all-time favorite stories. It is a classic tale of repentance and redemption. In Scrooge we see a portrait of a life radically remade.

In the short story Scrooge always plays it safe. He holds every shilling tight, conserves coal, and worries about the future. He has disdain for all of humankind and has a sour attitude toward life.

In my favorite movie adaptation of the book (the 1984 version with George C. Scott as Scrooge) it is suggested that Scrooge’s approach to life began when he rejected the love of Belle. Or maybe it is more accurate to say that Scrooge decided to pursue money instead of Belle.

In the book, the scene ends with Belle saying, “May you be happy in the life you have chosen.” And then Belle and Scrooge part.

But in the movie, Scrooge tells the Ghost of Christmas Past, “I almost went after her,’ after which the Spirit replies, “Almost carries no weight, especially in matters of the heart.”

Overcoming an “almost” attitude toward life means avoiding a play-it-safe mentality. It might mean adopting a let’s see if this works mentality instead. 

How many times, and in how many ways, have you adopted an “almost” attitude?

Did you almost share the gospel with a neighbor or friend?

Perhaps you almost gave up on porn or alcohol or smoking.

Maybe you almost accepted Christ as your savior, before deciding it would change your life too much.

Did you almost get baptized?

Did you almost pursue a dream, start a business, write a book, or pursue a relationship?

Did you almost start that neighborhood Bible study, or invite those neighbors over for coffee?

Perhaps you almost said no to some things to have more free time in your neighborhood.

What about that mission trip that you almost took overseas, or in your own community?

Do NOT let the word “almost” describe your life in the New Year. Living life as an adventure is to live with the confidence that God is trustworthy. 

God is less concerned with our choices than whether we are making choices with our hearts in the right place and with the faith to believe he will guide and protect us.

Christians should live life with reckless joy. We should live life adventurously. We have a relationship with the God of the universe who has promised to be with us every step of the way. 

Instead, many of us associate only with other believers, we dare not venture into anything that might take us out of our comfort zones, and we become far too content with monetary security, evenings in front of the television, and risk-free choices.

But life is meant to be an adventure. Part of that adventure is mixing it up with people unlike us. Do I dare say, people who live next door?

Do not almost be an engaged neighbor this year. Dive in with both feet, reach out to others, and embrace the ministry of being available to those around you. And in the process, leave the word  “almost” in the dust!

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Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.