I have been thinking about this phrase for the past few days. I have wondered how it originated, and I still wonder if it is put into thought by many people. So, what does this mean to me? Why do I even bring up this subject? Do you ever think about your potential choices? Does all of this matter to you anyway?
As a little girl I knew that “sitting on the fence” meant I couldn’t make up my mind. I had two choices placed before me, and I didn’t know which way I should jump. As an adult I know that there are many times and opportunities for fence-sitting. But, I have learned that the longer I sit there, the more pain I endure. Is my procrastination a lack of courage, a lack of knowledge, or a lack of judgment? For me I believe it’s a combination of all three, yet my mind remembers the following words (for personal conviction)…
There are two prominent verses in the Bible that come to my mind as I ponder this phrase. The first verse is found in Revelation 3:15-16 which states, “I know what you are doing. I know you aren’t cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! But you are lukewarm. You aren’t hold or cold. So I am going to spit you out of my mouth.” (NIrV) The second verse is found in Matthew 6:24 which says, “No one can serve two masters at the same time. He will hate one of them and love the other. Or he will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can’t serve God and money at the same time.” (NIrV)
In my small view of the world I know that I cannot sit on the fence for too long. I become complacent and dull, and I lose the spark of life that drives me to pursue my dreams and ambitions. I become a “lukewarm” person to those around me. Just as a lukewarm bath does not refresh a person’s body, neither does a lukewarm person refresh another person’s soul. Also, sitting on the fence is a portrayal of ironic imbalance. The person will either choose both sides or none at all. Fence-sitting becomes a portrait of poor judgment or lack of courage.
My prayer today is that whoever reads this will find understanding and courage in their lives. First, I pray that you will understand your current situation and realize the potential circumstances that may cause an imbalance. Second, I pray that you (and me, too) will find the courage to make the correct choices to move forward. I know it is scary to make a decision and not know what the consequences will be. I have been there; in fact, I still experience the unknown frequently. Third, I pray that you (and me) will find peace with the decisions you make. There are so many options, and it can be overwhelming to second-guess yourself. The best way to know for sure is to trust your instincts, ask God for guidance, and hope for the best.
The more we jump off the fence and pursue a choice in life, the better we will become when we reach the next obstacle in need of a hurdle.
Becoming Process Driven 