9-Inch Choices

As I type this post, here are some of the numbers on the Gulf oil spill:

• More than 46,000 people are involved in the response
• BP has reported spending $3.5 billion already
• Nine million feet of boom have been used
• Dozens of aircraft and more than 6,400 vessels have been deployed
• The US government's high-range estimate is 60,000 barrels per day
• (source)

Here's the number I find interesting:

• "The drill pipe, from which the oil is rising, is actually a 9-nine pipe that rests within the riser," said Bill Salvin, a BP spokesman (source)

A 9-inch pipe.

9 inches?!  (smaller than a soccer ball)

This kinda illustrates how important our choices are each day. A small, "9-inch" decision today can set a trajectory that leads to your legacy (good or bad). Here's an example:

You have a pleasant conversation with your secretary. She's not gorgeous, but attractive. While discussing the incoming mail, you begin to talk about your spouse - how she doesn't quite understand your love of golf. Your secretary comes to your defense. She knows what birdies and bogeys are...

NOTE: "You begin to talk about your spouse" - a "9-inch" decision.

One thing leads to another. Soon you find yourself entangled in a web of emotional attachment resulting in a moral failure spewing forth 60,000 barrels of pain per day upon your loved ones and into the gulf of people you are called to serve.

Don't let this happen to you. Don't think it won't happen to you.

Watch each and every "9-inch" decision you make.

image credit

I'm interested in your thoughts. How do you keep yourself pure?

Comments

[Bill (cycleguy)]

This is a tough question to answer Scott because I am not sure I have it all answered. I love my wife and remind her and myself of that everyday. I have pictures of her and my adult children in my office. I have a picture of my grandson on my wall. I use them to remind me how much I would lose if I failed. I have installed Covenant Eyes on my computer to take away that temptation. And I have learned to never say, "It will never happen to me." Great thoughts here. I am all too aware how much a little sliver can spew forth gobs of ugliness.

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill, you seem to have a lot of measures in place as a hedge of protection (I use Cov Eyes too). But I think your best defense is found in your first sentence ("I'm not sure I have it all figured out..."). With that attitude, you can come to Christ for the source of your strength and wisdom at each 9-inch decision.

I also think about HALT-B (Moments of vulnerability when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, or Bored)

[Bill (cycleguy)]

Scott: had never heard of HALT-B. Will have to though because that is good.

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill - Here is a link to more information on HALT:

http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/halt-relapse-prevention/

[jasonS]

Powerful reminder and so true. We tend to think of the big failure as the downfall, but it starts with a little compromise here and a little compromise there. We have to be wise and as you said to Bill, humble. Thank you.

[herbhalstead]

I try to keep pure by remembering that "big failures" are nearly always a result of a series of small improprieties.

[MichaelDPerkins]

I work for an oil and gas consulting firm and when I first learned how small drill pipe was I was blown away.

How do I stay pure? I think that Bill & Herb said it best. Don't compromise for even the smallest things. Those small things add up.

[Jay Cookingham]

Most of us don't jump into sin...we kinda drift into it. All decisions matter, no matter how small. Great post and great reminder!

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason, Heb, Michael - The theme is "watch the small choices". I bet if there was a poll of all the ministry leaders who had a moral failure, most would say they thought the failure was going to be one big mistake, which they figued they were immune to - all the while, they were accumulating little mistakes along the journey.

I do want to point how, however, about the value of COMMUNITY. Who are you engaging in your journey for accountability? For example, one of my protective measures is a simple text to an accountability partner every Friday. So, when tempted throughout the week, I remember I will have to text him with either an "all clear" or "I failed". I want to avoid the "I failed" texts so I make my decisions accordingly.

I'm curious, how do you engage accountability relationships?

[Ryan Tate]

Great stuff here Scott, thank you. I have to pray and pray and pray. My flesh is weak, but my God is strong. I don't want to imagine what type of worldly man I would be without Christ in my life. I use xxxchurch.com software to keep me accountable on the internet. And my wife gets the updates along with a friend.