To Jump is to Miss Out

I may just be the only person who has ever done this.  Matter of fact, not too many would probably even think about doing this one little thing.  Then again, maybe it’s more of a thing that’s done without thinking.  Because if we really thought about it, we more than likely would not want to do this thing.  It can be very costly to not only the person who does it, but to others as well. 

So, what is this “thing” I’m rambling about? 

Jumping to conclusions

I really don’t think I’m the only one who’s ever done this.  It can sure be a costly lesson to learn, can’t it?  (Well, I guess only those who have ever taken the jump can answer that question.)  However, I’m going to direct this post more at the “I” and “me” ... I don’t want to assume that anyone else falls into the “jumper” category.

What really happens when I jump to conclusions …

** I see only what I want to see & not any other piece of the picture.  More than likely I don’t have all the details regarding a situation.  You know, the whole interrupting in a conversation and saying “You really don’t need to say anything else.  I completely understand.”  Even if the other person does need to say more & I really don’t understand everything at all.  I’ve found (through experience) that it’s really better to allow someone to say what they need to say without me interrupting … but, with me listening … and hearing what the person is saying to me. 

** My viewpoint is clouded.  No matter what the circumstance of my jump, I now have a tainted view of it (whether "it" is a person, situation, or anything else).  I haven’t allowed myself to get to know the person or the situation at hand. It’s sad that I could miss out on a friendship, or getting involved in a ministry or cause, or given of myself to be a blessing to others.  So, I’ve missed out all around.  All because of my distorted view. 

Possible repercussions of jumping to conclusions can be …

** Distortion of a person who may not be who I thought.  This was actually directed at me a while back.  I was in a group meeting and was chatting with some others.  Later on someone from our little chat group said to me “You aren’t anything like I thought you would be.”  I had no idea that an inaccurate conclusion was what was between us at that point in time.  And now, years later, I still value her friendship deeply. 

** I don’t allow God to use me for His glory.  I hold back on getting involved in the ministries and blessings that God wants of me.  I refuse to see more of the circumstance and just want to live with my clouded tunnel vision of the truth.  When this happens, God cannot use me for His glory. 

I, for one, have missed out on many great blessings from God by my own jumps.  It’s not anyone's fault but my own.  But, by God’s mercy I can move forward and take a look at things in a way that glorifies my Creator.  I believe that He doesn’t want any of us to take those jumps, but He desires each of us to bring everything to Him … whether we are working through situations … listening to other counsel regarding a certain matter … or just figuring out what we’re supposed to be doing.  He’s never too busy for any of us. 

When we seek Him & His Word, there’s no need to take any jumps.  I’ve jumped too many times and I certainly do not enjoy them at all.  But, it’s through the hard experiences that I’ve learned to allow God to direct me in the path where He needs me.  Whether with friends, circumstances, situations … when we jump to conclusions, we are the ones who miss out.  Sometimes we just need to be still and listen to what God is saying to us instead of listening to distractions.

I really don’t think I’m the only person who has ever taken this jump … afterall I’d be jumping to conclusions if I did.  

 May God be with each of us as we rely on His wisdom and His truth in every matter we face.