An Arab chief told the story about a spy who was captured and sentenced to be executed by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of offering convicted criminals a choice between the firing squad and something he called "the big, black door."
The time for the execution arrived. The guards brought the spy to the Persian general. He asked, "What will it be, the firing squad or 'the big black door?'" The spy paused for a long time. Finally, he made a decision: "The firing squad."
A few minutes later, after hearing the gunfire ring out, the general turned to his assistant and said, "They always prefer the known to the unknown. People fear what they don't know. Yet, we gave him a choice."
The assistant asked, "What lies beyond the big black door?" The general replied, "Freedom. I have known only a few who were brave enough to take that door."
Sometimes the very best opportunities in our lives stand behind the threatening door of the great unknown.
It’s hard to believe that a new year is now upon us. This new year might present us with new opportunities and adventures. Some of us will never take advantage of these opportunities for one reason: fear of the unknown.
My prayer is that God will give us courage to face the future, to not be afraid of the unknown, to be willing every once in a while, to take a risk, to try something new. May God bless all of us in the year to come!