DARE TO DECIDE

Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Danish theologian, philosopher and poet wrote:

“Cowardice settles deep in our souls like the idle mists on stagnant waters. From it arise unhealthy vapors and deceiving phantoms. The thing that cowards fear most is decision; for decision always scatters the mists, at least for a moment. Cowardice thus hides behind the thought it likes best of all: the crutch of time. Cowardice and time always find a reason for not hurrying, for saying, “Not today, but tomorrow,” whereas God in heaven and the eternal say: “Do it today. Now is the day of salvation.”

Cowardice wants to prevent the step of making a decision. To accomplish this it takes to itself a host of glorious names. In the name of caution cowardice abhors any over-hastiness. It is against doing anything before the time is ripe. Besides, ‘Is it not best to speak of a continued endeavor, which is by far the superior act, rather than a sudden decision? Ah, not decision, but continual striving, continuous endeavor, what a glorious expression. What a glorious deception.’

Whereas decision reminds us of the end to come, cowardice turns us away from finality.”
(From: ‘Provocations’)

It is often so much easier to just ‘go along with the crowd’ and ‘take it easy’ and ‘go slow and steady.’ This is what I call kicking the can down the road for nothing and ‘in glorious deception.’ To Dare to Decide… we might make a mistake… could be…so what? Let’s do stuff.

“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Jesus