What’s the Worst that Can Happen?
I was standing with Kia in our kitchen. It was sometime in 2009. Things weren’t going so well for us financially. Our businesses were suffering. Our personal finances were just as bad – maybe worse.
I was looking out the window. That window looked over a few acres of land attached to our home. It opened up to the chicken coop. It showed the garden out back. Around the corner from the window was a natural water well.
I’m standing, looking out the window, talking with Kia. I say, “What’s the worst that can happen?”
I don’t know if you’ve ever spoken those words before, but they are chocked full of meaning. Basically it meant, “I don’t think it can get much worse? Can it?”
In my head, I thought and then said out loud , “We have a garden, we have chickens, we have well water, we have each other. We’ll be okay.”
I thought it. I said it. I didn’t feel it.
I was really scared.
Driven
Fear drives us. It’s one reason God allows fear in our lives. Fear isn’t from Him, but He uses it when it comes knocking. Fear always moves us – either toward God or away from Him.
Fear always moves us - either toward God or away from Him. Share on XFear drove me to God.
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. -Romans 8:19-22
Coming to God in fear puts us in this state. We long for something greater. We might define it as heaven. We might not. We know there has to be more. We’re eager for salvation.
I recently heard this guy Levi Lusko share from this passage. He unexpectedly lost his five year old daughter and lived in that place of fear. He shared how the phrase “waiting eagerly” could be translated as “standing on tiptoe”.
Tiptoe. Edge of your seat. Eager.
I love that word picture. Desperation drives me to the edge of my seat. I’m desperate to see God do something. I’m on tiptoe.
If you’ve said to yourself or someone else lately, “What’s the worst that can happen?”, be on tiptoe. Be desperate for God to show up.
God Always Shows Up
God came through for me. It took longer than I hoped. It came differently than I planned. I saw it happen though. You know why?
I was eager to see it happen. I was on tiptoe.
God wants to show up for you too. Be eager. Scoot to the edge of your seat. Stand on tiptoe. God’s coming because He always shows up.
Chris Routt says
Andy:
Love this article…it speaks to me. I am in a transition phase of my career. I have thought the same words you are writing…”What is the worst that can happen?” While I am still have my photography business, I am transitioning to a leadership position. After 18 years in the classroom, I will be a principal at an elementary school next year. I am afraid. It took me a while to say those words. What I am learning is that I have to give those burdens and fears to God. I feel insufficient. But I know that God is sufficient. I am giving my weaknesses to God.
Your writing has been a blessing. I enjoy reading your work and seeing what God is doing in your life. Miss you my friend.
Chris Routt
Andy Bondurant says
Chris – wow. I’m excited and nervous with you! I know you’ll do a GREAT job. The honesty of speaking fear, allows us to give those things to God. Good for you!
Miss you too. We’ll catch up sometime…
Andy
Jen Turner says
Powerful Andy. I was in the prime of my photography career when you and Kia were doing so much for the industry. I, too, have lost much during the past years of the industries transition, and learned much. Thank you for being so honest about your feelings. I am just now looking to re enter the industry, but on my terms. Thank you for your continued inspiration and showing how God is the way for us to recover, regroup, and set back on a path that He has planned for us.