What's holding you back?

We keep getting phone calls from people wanting us to further our education. We try to be polite and decline their offer, but very often they just keep rapidly firing more and more information until you basically just have to hang up on them.

It is the same thing with people calling us about extending our vehicle warranty. They are so persistent. One man asked, "What is holding you back?"

Many things in our lives hold us back. Some times it is just a general lack of interest. Sometimes it is the price for which we would have to pay. Sometimes our friends hold us back from things like healthy eating by always bringing us fattening foods or suggesting unhealthy habits. Sometimes our families hold us back by their demands on our time and attention.

Do you have goals and dreams? What is the difference? A goal is something you work toward, a dream is something you think about. At what point do you stop thinking and begin to act?

What is holding you back?

In scripture, Saul of Tarsus had a roadside encounter with The Lord. He was literally blinded by the light. He knew immediately that this was God speaking to him. He was told what to do, given detailed instructions. Even told who to see.

He followed those instructions, went to Damascus, to a street called Strait, to a man named Ananias. Ananias gave him the instructions that he was told to give. And then what?

This was all that God had said.

Saul  followed to the letter.

Ananias obeyed God too.

But what now?

Saul was still blind. 

What was holding him back?

Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' (Acts 22:16 NASB)

He had a choice. It was now up to him to make a choice. Why was he waiting? What was holding him back?

Finally Saul took the plunge (pun intended) and that day began his journey into a new life, a better life, the best life. No more dreams, just goals. No more holding back for Paul who was once Saul. 

What is holding you back today? Seek God's instruction and make your choice.