As I worked on remodeling our main bathroom recently, I was reminded of the power of “nudge” versus the power of “push” or “pull.” It happened when my sons and I were trying to pull out our pink, 300 pound, cast iron, 1950’s-era bathtub. After we tore the side walls to the bathtub out and began working on getting tub out, we realized we didn’t know what we were getting into. We grabbed behind the tub and on its ends so as to lift it up and out, but came upon some resistance – 300 pounds of resistance. Then we tried to tip it out, and as we began to pull on it, the tub got caught on something – the wall faucet. Not a good thing. Next, we tried to pull it straight out, only to realize that if we didn’t nudge it out in unison, the tub would get out of alignment and get stuck on the wall studs. The power of nudge as opposed to push or pull.
We saw the power of nudge versus push and pull even as we tried to put the new tub in. You see, this tub wasn’t cast iron, and it could be broken more easily if not handled properly and if it was forced into place. It had to be nudged passed the wall studs and the faucet so it didn’t get jammed and thus chip a piece off or crack the tub.
Normally when you push or pull, you do so quickly and without much thinking, just wanting to get the project completed or the task accomplished. You just want to get things in their right place so you can move on to the next project. We don’t take time to consider what obstacles could be in the way, or how pushing or pulling could cause damage not only to the object, but also those surrounding it. You just forcibly push and pull because you want to get it done!
When we push and pull, we don’t even stop to think if how we are trying to accomplish the task is the best way to do it or if there is a better way to accomplish it. No, we just push and pull because that’s all we know how to do. Then if damage does occur, we write off such damage as collateral damage, just part of the job, only to find out when we to go back in to repair the collateral damage caused by push or pull, it’s too extensive to recover or repair, and greater problems have been created.
But when we nudge, we’re thoughtful. We’re controlled. We’re reasoned. We’re considerate. We look at the surrounding area, we take in the environment in which we are working to see if there is a risk of damage and if so, how to avoid or limit it. We think about if there is a different way, a better way to accomplish the task more effectively and with better results. We look for ways gain cooperation instead of trying to force the issue against one’s will so it is more desirous of the ultimate goal. And while sometimes life does present situations where we need to push or pull, it’s not our only method and it is only used in extreme cases, when extreme measures are required, and in a manner that is still controlled, considerate, and limited.
This year, I want to be a better nudger. I want to live my life in such a way; I want to engage and serve people in such a way that I nudge them closer to Jesus if they don’t know Him, and deeper into Christ-likeness if they are a Christian. I want to look for those opportunities where life throws stuff at us that is difficult, painful, challenging, and use them as opportunities to nudge them to Christ. And I want to nudge them in a way that causes them to realize their need for him and begin to desire Him. I want the wisdom to know when my nudging has become nagging so I don’t do greater damage and nudge them away from Christ.
I want to be a better nudger for the cause of Christ, and not a pusher or a puller. How about you?