The Indecision Donkey

There’s a humorous fable about a donkey who dies of, essentially, indecision.

The fable is more of a philosophical paradox, and it’s referred to as Buridan’s ass. In the fable, the donkey is both equally hungry and equally thirsty. However, when placed in front of a pile of hay and a bucket of water, the donkey stares at both, paralyzed by indecision. Eventually, the donkey dies.

Paralysis of analysis can easily grip even the most well-meaning of pastors. When there’s only 24 hours in a day, but 48 hours of work still to do, pastors often face complex decisions even on how and where to spend their time. But beyond time management, decisions abound in church leadership. How to address and navigate the latest conflict. Which sermon to preach next. What ministry needs the most attention.

Decisions abound. And everyone’s busiest day is always tomorrow.

But here’s the problem with our starving, dehydrated donkey: One choice would have saved him. Eat hay, solve hunger. Solve hunger, focus on thirst. OR, drink water, solve thirst. Solve thirst, focus on hunger.

One small step could have saved Buridan’s ass (pardon the pun).

And indecision IS decision.

I would rather seek God’s wisdom and make a step forward (however uncertain) than not step at all. A prayerful (and genuine) submission into God’s guidance, followed by a simple choice to step in that direction will accomplish much more in the direction of God’s will than a dead donkey ever could.