Triple Dog Dare
Flick had not just been dared. It was much more serious than that or he would have followed what common sense was telling him. The ante had been raised. There was the double dare, then the double-dog dare and finally, the sinister triple-dog dare! He had no choice. He accepted the challenge along with the predictably disastrous results of sticking his tongue on the flagpole at school on an exceptionally cold, snowy winter day in the classic film, A Christmas Story.
Lest you think triple-dog dares only influence the young, think again. Two men in their mid-thirties strolled out of a Wal-Mart in Nebraska wearing only T-shirts and women’s underwear because one of their friends “triple-dog dared” them to do it.
“That’s absurd,” you say. “Certainly not anything I would do.” But haven’t you? Haven’t you ever been embarrassed by a choice you made in front of your peers or done something really stupid? How about stepping out of your comfort zone to prove a point, take the challenge, or pursue a dream – only to experience a less than favorable result? If you’re anything like me, you’ve no doubt had times you wanted to crawl in a hole, stay in bed and pull the covers over your head, or made a conscious decision to settle for the status quo because of past failures or what appears to be a looming disaster.
It might be anything from a horrible relationship, the inability to lose weight, battling an eating disorder, or a business venture that went south. Perhaps it’s the proverbial burnt toast, which to some may seem like nothing, but to you it’s one more reminder that you can’t do anything right. Why try? Whether it’s one gigantic disaster or the accumulation of less dramatic flubs, some people hesitate to venture out again for fear of failure. The memories and messages of the past keep raising their ugly heads, creating feelings of inadequacy that pull you back and keep you down.
You’re not alone! Everyone experiences failure. After completing his training in physics and mathematics, Albert Einstein couldn’t land a teaching job. Thomas Edison tried 10,000 different experiments before success with the light bulb. Kim, who weighed over 300 pounds, tried everything from diet pills to weight loss shakes but always gained more weight back than she lost. The list is endless because we’ve all been there.
Is the big “L” still looming over your forehead? Are you ready to move on? I triple-dog dare you! I want to expand your vision, challenge your thinking, and provoke your imagination.
Exciting? Absolutely. Scary? Yes. Uncomfortable? Yep. I’m afraid so, but the end result promises a satisfying, fulfilling life of significance. You have a choice!
Let’s Make a Deal! Remember the game show? One popular game of suspense that occurred frequently on the show was when a contestant was asked to choose one of three doors without knowing what was concealed behind it. After vacillating back and forth, the decision was made and the contestant anxiously waited to see what was behind the door. Sometimes it would be a new car that was received with great enthusiasm. At other times, the outcome was a hoax met with a disappointing sigh but, after all, it was only a game of luck.
Well, life isn’t a game and most people don’t want to venture out on a risk. But what if I told you you’re like that contestant, only with one major difference? I’m going to tell you what’s behind each door and then let you choose. Would you do it? Read on.
Behind door one – your past. You can continue to let past abuse, broken relationships, or previous failures keep you inactive, held back, and tied down. Or you can break free of the past and choose something different like door two!
Behind door two – the present. You can choose to focus on the present and get caught up in all this world has to offer. Sounds pretty good, huh? You can pursue wealth, popularity, fun, and excitement. This present world has a lot to offer. This is sounding much better and closer to what you’ve dreamed of for yourself and your family, right? Maybe this is where you are. Perhaps you haven’t allowed failures to hold you back. You’re forging ahead at great speed – pursuing more out of life. “Is there something else to consider?” Yes. Its behind door three!
Behind door three – God and His dream for you. “Really?” you inquire with a tone of disbelief. “It’s not that simple. Besides, does God really have something unique in mind for me – a dream to pursue?” The answer is “yes.” He does. The decision is yours. The choice is up to you.
In Matthew 7:7-8, the present tense is used – meaning to keep on asking, keep on seeking. If you do, you will receive. You will discover God’s will for you – His dream. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. Don’t give up and chalk one up for Satan and his team. Keep exploring, dreaming, and discovering what you were created to be and do. You have a part in God’s eternal plan. It’s to fulfill that dream which He has placed deep within your heart. Take it off that shelf and dream again. I triple-dog dare you!
Bobbie Rill currently works in the field as a Community Transformation team member and is a regular contributor to Better Family Living magazine. Previously she was also Director for Women of Virtue.