Progress = Messiness

I read this article recently that caught my full attention.
Christian Today
http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com/devotions/?query=&type=&filter=&tone=&order=&start=31

An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.
Proverbs 14:4

"Leaders who expect progress must allow some latitude for chaos and failure. That's the point of Proverbs 14:4.  Do you want your feeding trough kept clean? Fine, then don't have any oxen. But you'll have a tough time harvesting and processing your grain.

Churches and ministries that make an impact create an environment where people are allowed to make mistakes. Obsession with complete order will curb creativity. Do you want the walls in your church facility to be spotless, or do you want to reach more teens for Jesus Christ? Is it more important to avoid legal hassles and red tape or to develop a ministry to single moms? Leaders must create environments for themselves and others that allow for a reasonable amount of mess. That's the price for progress."
— Steve Mathewson

The truth is that some people are not willing to try anymore because things have not worked out in the past. They are willing to become stagnant because it is the easiest thing to do.  Doing things the way you have done them for twenty years does not require as much thought. Can you imagine if inventors had not kept working on their dreams of being an inventor; where would we be?  We certainly would not have the technology we do today.  I am not suggesting we have to recreate the wheel just to do it.  If things you have been doing for years are working, then by all means keep doing it.  However, we need to  be willing to examine them and see if they are truly working.

 My favorite line of the whole devotion is "Do you want your feeding trough kept clean? Fine, then don't have any oxen." Let that roll around in your mind for a little while!