“A healthy dose of idealism drives us to change things.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith (Kindle Location 1336). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Larry says, “It refuses to fatalistically settle and accept the status quo. It powers the dogged pursuit of what could be and should be. Idealism provides the fuel that turns our crazy dreams into reality.”

And we need that. We really do.

He then says, “But on the other hand, idealism can also be a curse. If it flows out of an inaccurate and overly romanticized view of the past, it can lead to a desperate longing for what never was and a deep frustration with whatever is.”

He goes on, “Perhaps you have some friends who never enjoy the present because they’re so sure everything used to be better. They’re like greyhounds on the racetrack, chasing a stuffed rabbit they’ll never catch. Their endless pursuit of the perfect marriage, the flawless family, the ideal career, or the perfect church leaves them perpetually unsatisfied.”

And that is no way to live. You see, no marriage or church or job is perfect because they are made up of people like us and we aren’t perfect. None of us in all ways is perfect but God still loves us and accepts us and believes in us. Let's do the same with ourselves and with others.

So is your idealism a blessing or a curse?

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