{Editor’s Note: This post was written by Jake Harvey. You can learn more about Jake at the end of the post.}
American Idol is a show I enjoy very much. You may agree and say, “I love to see the competition and then the agony and anticipation of who gets voted out!” I never get to that part of the show, though. The absolute best part of the show is the initial auditions. I don’t like the finding of diamonds in the rough but, instead, I like when the judges have to listen to what sounds like silverware in the garbage disposal.
And not because I’m an auditory sadist, but because of the response of the judges and then the reaction that follows. Granted, the evaluations of a person’s voice can be quite harsh, but the most curious part is what the applicant does with the evaluation of their horrendous song screeching. Will they be defeated? Will they have their heart broken? Or (and this is the best kind) will they be indignant?
“Everyone I know says I have a great voice.”
“I can’t believe they think they know what good singing sounds like.”
“I’ll show them when I get my record contract.”
These folks have been either so insulated or are so self-deluded that they can’t hear the truth. The worst part is that they’ve probably been fed these illusions and ingested them to the point that they can’t part with the belief that their voice is a good one.
When self-delusion dresses itself in the clothing of resolve, an indefensible or, at worst, dangerous stance is taken. I used to think that I would really make it in the music industry someday. It turns out that success in music requires skill and ambition, and while I may have a bit of skill (and I emphasize “bit”), I do not have the ambition.
Do you know anybody who is still trying to make a dream come true that they should have given up on a long time ago? Do you think highly of their resolve or do you pity their delusion?
Many people never see the fruit of their resolve. Think of the scientists who worked on cures for cancer twenty or thirty years ago and have since passed on. They knew that, while they might not see success, their work could help be the foundation for future breakthroughs. Or William Carey, whose missionary efforts seemed pointless for over a decade but eventually saw success.
Resolve to accomplish something or bring about a certain purpose can’t always be evaluated on its final product. Almost all of the Old Testament prophets lived difficult lives and many of them died in horrible circumstances. Think that their job description required resolve? The difference is that the one who evaluated their performance was the Almighty, not three people who used to be good at something and have short attention spans.
Maybe it’s time to evaluate the source of our resolve.
Where did this dream come from?
Is it likely to happen?
Is my mom the only one who thinks I’m good at (fill in the blank)?
I’m sure your mother is a wonderful lady, but she may not be the most objective commentator. It can be tough to let some things go, especially if attaining that goal has shaped much of your life up to this point.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not in a position to say if your resolve is solid or whether it is misguided, but I bet you have people around you who can help you address it. I have a couple things I’m going to have to take a look at, and I think one of them may be getting the Nobel Prize for Awesomeness – I know that category doesn’t exist, but they would create it based on my awesomeness.
Resolve tends to be the most useful when it is honest and humble, not delusional and self aggrandizing. It’s also most useful when it comes in a spray bottle after you’ve spilled something. I’m sure there’s a metaphor there, but I’ll let you make the connection.
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About Jake Harvey: A security officer for the past four years, Jake hates the Chicago Cubs, being late, and whining. Waylon Jennings, Clutch, and TV on the Radio are his favorite musicians, and Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, Michael Spencer’s Mere Churchianity, and Jon Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like are among his favorite books. When it comes to the Bible, Jake most identifies with Peter because he kept messing up but Jesus loved him anyway. He has double-jointed thumbs, requires chewing gum at all times, and needs more guns. The best thing about being single, according to Jake, is that his budget committee consists only of himself.
*Photo credit: Drew Coffman
