“It’s better to go through the wrong door with your best self than the best door with your wrong self.”- John Ortberg
In Chapter 6 (“How to Cross a Threshold”) of All the Places to Go, John Ortberg observes that it’s good for us to choose our doors carefully. But when we decide to go- go! Although we’re not in charge of which doors God will present to us throughout our lives or what is behind any door, we are in charge of one dynamic- how we will respond when a door is opened.
Pastor Ortberg notes that once we make our door choice, often we’re tempted to obsess whether or not we chose the right door. To compound the problem, this often happens when such obsession is least helpful- when we’re frustrated or depressed with our chosen door. We falsely compare the best imagined aspect of Choice B with the worst case scenario of Choice A.
We need to recognize that there is no script for how things would have gone with Plan B or how things will go with Plan A. Stewing over our decision robs us (a) of the ability to see the small doors God sets before us each day and (b) of the spiritual qualities we need to find life with God in the present moment.
John concludes that when we’re crossing a threshold, we must throw ourselves into this new open-door season “with great enthusiasm and prayer and hope and energy.”
Today’s question: How often have you found yourself stewing about your choice after crossing a threshold? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Buyer’s remorse”
