If you know me, you can attest to the fact that my greatest strength, is also my greatest weakness. I am a goal-orientated, Type A, driven -to- perfection monster. (I can call myself a monster, but you guys can’t start calling me a monster – It would hurt my feelings..okay?)
If you know me and you are shocked by the previous statement, we’ve got a problem.
I remember back in my University days, (the first time around) watching the movie “The Contender” and hearing Laine Hanson utter these profound words “Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient.”
The above sentence blew my brain, altered my life, (I’m serious) and I’ve never been the same since. Whenever I get into any disordered habits (read: overexercising and undereating) – this mantra goes through my head. In fact, anytime I’ve attempted to accomplish anything and wanted to give up, I tell myself that “principles only mean something when you stick to them when it’s inconvenient”.
Obviously, some of my principles include healthy eating, (maybe too healthy – or not healthy enough depending on your view) making sure I still get a workout in even when I don’t want to. (this is probably not the best principle to have when you have a migraine) Trying to be the best in terms of my career, trying to be the most amazing daughter/sister/friend that I can be – I guess you could say any goal that I’ve set in my life? Becomes a principle. I MUST achieve this, I MUST achieve perfection. For a the past little while, I’ve been down on myself for this perspective – because I thought I’d taken it too far. And, in some aspects, without a shadow of a doubt… I have.
However, I had an interesting experience today – I had a man tell me, that he believes if I keep up with my standard of not getting into a relationship with anyone who doesn’t love Jesus – I’ll be alone forever.
My first instinct was to kick him in the teeth, but obviously – that doesn’t really line up with the reasoning behind why he thought I’d be single forever. (Surprise! Jesus doesn’t want us to kick people in the teeth. He wants us to turn the other cheek. I am a poet and didn’t know it) But just as I was getting ready for a rebuttle, in my head I heard “Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient.”
Being single is inconvenient, having standards can be inconvinent. But my line (principle) has been drawn in the sand. Therefore? It’s an inconvinence I am willing to live out.
You see, I’ve been walking around for awhile thinking that my goal/driven/principle focused nature was harming me. In some aspects, I guess it is. But you know what? Some goals/principles/lines in the sand are REALLY good.
Stick to your principles.
Hold on to your goals.
Keep that line drawn in the sand.
Fix your eyes on the finish line.
(just don’t be a nut job about it like I am 95% of the time – okay?)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
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oh now that is profound. My husband wasn’t really in a good relationship with Jesus when i met him. He still struggles but God is working in him, in us. I actually find myself closer to HIM for this very reason. Trust.
Great post. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to your principles. Especially when it comes to Jesus.