A Call to Courage for Those Who Feel Stuck

On a sweltering summers day I found myself working my way through the zoo with my two children when a fight erupted over which animal we would visit next. I love my children, but their fights are often never discrete. I think kids may have an intuitive sense for how loud they need to be in order to elicit glares and stares from the innocent bystanders. I may or may not have given them over-priced ice cream as a deflection from the heat, and in my best momma means business voice, “if-you-do-not-stop-right-now-I-will-march-you-right-out-to-the-car-and-we-will-go-home” talk. It was not the first time, and won’t be the last.

After quality parenting move number two, a deciding game of rock-paper-scissors, my son won and we sauntered over to the Africa exhibit. As we approached a vast field, I noticed a crowd of people gathered and watching intently. They weren’t starting at the majestic lion, or the hungry giraffes that towered above the whole space, but a dusty rhinoceros. His behavior was quite alarming. He walked, head down, unrelenting, in a circle. In fact, he had walked in this circle for so long, the dirt beneath his feet was wore deep into the group. Perplexed, I wondered why he chose to walk redundantly in circles, when wide open spaces of pasture were available to him. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked the question to find the answers.

Turns out, this rhino used to be kept in a very small enclosure in which he had no other choice but circular steps if he wanted to walk at all. Since that time, he had been moved to a wide-open area, but he didn’t know how to step into it, utilize it, or even enjoy it. He could not be free of his past.

He was free to be free, but did not choose to embrace that freedom. You are free to be free, but have you chosen to embrace freedom? Or have you gotten used to walking in circles?

There are circles we all walk in. Places where the ground beneath your feet is worn in the places where you have trod over and over and over again.

Same fears
Same failures
Same paralyzing thoughts
Same people that you are trying to please
Same dream that you gave up on
Same sin that lures you back in time and time and time again.

What experiences in your life have taught you to play it safe, stay-put, live-small and turn your back on the wide-open-spaces that God wants to lead you into? Sister, you are free to be free, but you will never find freedom until you can name that which is holding you back.

You are free to be free, but you will never find freedom until you can name what is holding you back.

Oh, I have a circle – it is called anxiety. I walk around in the circle of worry about my children. Wondering if I have giving them enough, doing enough. Wondering if they will remain healthy and happy. Often feeling out of control.

Oh, I have a circle - it is called people-pleasing. I walk around in the circle, wondering and hoping that others like me. Yes, this comes from a pure place of love for people, but also from a place of insecurity around people. If people know me deeply and truly, will they still love me? It’s a scary question.

Oh, I have a circle - it is called discouragement. I walk around in the circle of waiting to see the fruition of dreams in my heart come to pass. In my best moments, I’m reminded God’s timing is perfect. In my worst moments, I feel the pull to withdraw for fear of failure.

Walking in circles feels safe, comfortable, easy, and clear. But God’s best for your life is not summed up in the words “comfort zone.” You cannot walk in circles and calling at the same time.

The wisdom found in the book of Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

God’s best for your life is not summed up in the words “comfort zone.” You cannot walk in circles and calling at the same time.