Straight Shootin’ About Silver Bullets

When I was a little girl, westerns like Bonanza, Wagon Train, and Gunsmoke brought the shootout at the OK Corral right into our living room. You could almost smell the gunpowder from those silver bullets!

There was always something that led up to the face-off. Then, in a matter of nail-biting, breath-holding moments, all the commotion was over and (generally) the good guy emerged the hero after the smoke cleared. He had earned the right to strut just a little taller in his boots because he had greased lightning in his hand. And, it didn’t take but a 50-minute episode to let everyone know he had what it took.

But is it to our benefit to believe only the fastest hand in the west wins?
Or that a “Silver Bullet in a Box” mentality will lead us to success in just 30 days?

I think not. Not if we are interested in building or sustaining something of substance – be it a business, a new endeavor, an education, a friendship, a marriage, a workplace community, a ministry or fellowship, etc. Basically anything that involves other people. Truth be told, there’s not much in life that doesn’t.

If you note anything in the above list that feels like a Skinny Pig right now (not enough substance and sustaining), let me do a little straight shootin’ with you. Here are a few silver bullets that may not be hitting the target:

1. “If I build it, they will come.”  Yes, that certainly should be your hope and prayer. Otherwise the first step might never be taken nor the last nail pounded in place if you don’t have a vision for it. However, the work of the endeavor or relationship has only just begun. It’s the silver bullet of vocation, not “It’s in place so now I can chill.”

2. “Creativity trumps Common Sense.”  I love creativity. One of my favorite quotes is by Madame Guyon (1648-1717) who said, “I love the lonely creative hours with God.”  Many of us would testify this is how and when we often feel the most alive. If you can get lost for hours in some creative pastime and loneliness doesn’t enter your mind, I venture to say that God who created you is right there enjoying His creativity as it is expressed through yours! Aware or not, He is your Creative Companion.

At some point though, creativity needs to share the space with common sense. If your creativity is engaged in for a purpose outside of your own fulfillment, there are things to learn and details to handle. If you find yourself lacking in this helpful commodity, then engage in conversation with someone who is rich in it. A life coach can be especially useful at this point. (I’d love to help; you can contact me here).

3. “I’ll come up with the ideas and you make them happen!”  Unless it is your boss making that statement, that is no way to win friends and influence people. The exception is if it is a mutually agreed-upon arrangement. There are lots of relationships that operate well from that kind of pact.

I’m talking though about a silver bullet attitude of dishing out the good ideas – sometimes as fast as the slickest hand in the west – and expecting others to  roll up their sleeves and bring them to life; yesterday. Before you hastily button yours, however, do realize there is a hand at the end of your sleeve too.

4. “If it’s not growing/fixed/selling like hotcakes, it must not be God’s will.”  If I’ve heard (or thought! ) that statement once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. Though others than just me likely remember black & white TV, we all are now so accustomed to indulging a microwave mentality that doubt and second-guessing is as instant as our oatmeal.

Since I often write of what I first have had to experience, I will close with this that I have learned and need to remain mindful of when the microwave in my mind is acting up again …

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”  Galatians 6:9-10 MSG

Silver Bullets of a Higher Caliber:

Is what you are building (your Skinny Pig ) worth your continued investment? (See #1)

What creative idea of yours needs the balance of common sense to bring it to life? (See #2)

Are you willing to ‘not allow yourself to get fatigued doing good, give up, or quit’ if for a time,you’re the only one with your hands in it? (See #3 and #4)

What’s in your hand?

~ Nancy