Chasing Vision – Be Okay in the Messy Middle

Can I admit something to you? Sometimes I find it comforting when other people face struggles. Not because I enjoy their pain, or I like to see them feel uncomfortable, but because it normalizes my struggles.

Often from the outside looking in, other people’s lives look easy. Great leaders seem to give direction with confidence, athletes seem to play the game effortlessly, moms seem to care for their families naturally, or our co-workers seem to execute projects with ease. When we only see the finished product or the end results, we might think the getting there was easier or simpler than the reality.

The truth is life can be messy, really messy. Rarely do we accomplish anything without resistance, conflict, or hardship. The challenges may come from other people, circumstances outside our control, lack of finance or resources, or even from within our own heart and mind.

Too often, when struggles come, we want to give up or run away. I am learning I need to be okay in the messy middle.

This January, I received the first hard copy of my book, Finding Simplicity. I snapped a picture for my friend Barb who helped me in the editing process. As we text back and forth, I was reminded of the previous January, when we had our first in-person meeting to work through a draft of the book.

What a mess! My thoughts were unclear and going in multiple directions. My title and general direction at that time were too complicated, especially for a book about simplicity.

But my mess was not a bad thing. To write book, I had to start somewhere. I would never have a completed work if I gave up because things were messy.

This lesson of pressing in and not giving up has taught me a truth that reaches far beyond the scope of the book. I cannot always expect perfection, but instead, I need to press into the process. My natural tendency is only to do things that I feel confident in, the things that I feel sure I can be successful. I don’t like feeling stupid or inadequate. As I result, I know I have missed out on many opportunities.

Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about one of the significant Biblical figures, Nehemiah. We may admire him for his leadership, but I believe we connect to him in his humanness. Nehemiah follows God when most people around have forgotten Him. He dreams big despite his position as a servant. He acts on his dreams and gathers a group of scattered inhabitants of Jerusalem to begin rebuilding a destroyed city wall.

In chapter four, his critics raise their voices. They say what I imagine is ancient times trash talk, “if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” (Nehemiah 4:3 NASB) We know that not only did the men talk negatively; they were furious about the rebuilding project. These men were powerful and were determined to use their power and influence to stop Nehemiah and his crew.

Instead of stopping or even being distracted by their antagonists, under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people kept right on building. Nehemiah describes it this way, “the people had a mind to work.” (Nehemiah 4:6) Think about that phrase for a moment. Does that represent you? Do you have a mindset to work hard? Are you determined to keep going despite challenges? Or are you easily dismayed or distracted?

Often it is when our situations look messiest that we are closest to breakthrough. Perseverance in the face of adversity strengthens our resolve. Nehemiah was unwavering despite his antagonists because he focused on God and God’s direction. We need to be the same way – focused on God, listening to His voice, with a mindset to work.

Today, remember, its okay to be in the messy middle. Don’t expect perfection. Instead, put your head up, press in, and keep moving.