Temporary Incompentence

What is this?  A sheep?  I think so.  It's a Biltmore sheep.

I'm still working my way through Five Practices of Fruitful Living.  Schnase asked this question, "Are we willing to experience the feeling of 'temporary incompentence' in order to attain a sense of confidence?"

Approaching something new -- whether it is a new job, a new hobby, Bible study, a new place -- you name it -- takes courage.  And because it is new, we may not be very good at whatever it is at first. 

That may mean we need practice in order to develop particular skills.  It may mean we need time in order to adjust to the people with whom we are now working.  It may mean that we need classes in order to gain the knowledge necessary.  Whatever it is, at first, it is going to feel awkward, and we may not be very good at it.

In our society, patience isn't always forthcoming.  We want success, and we want it now.  We want to feel good, and maybe (gasp) we want it to be easy.

The truth is, though, it is not always easy.  Sometimes something new is hard, but the payback is that with time, learning, adjustment, practice and a new set of skills, we will gain a sense of confidence in what we are doing.  Worth it.