Hold Your Cards

In certain card games it can be wise to know when to play your hand and when to hold your cards. Knowing which action to take depends on strategy, the current state of the game, and if the cards you are holding will give you an advantage or win the game overall. Circumstances in life can be gamified in a similar way because there are seasons when you should hold your cards then there are some when it is best to play what is in your hand. What am I getting at? It can be wise to hold your cards when cultural norms are asking you to compromise your standards, dreams, and going after the life that aligns with your internal makeup. In this mind-frame, holding your cards is a metaphor for holding out for exactly what you have envisioned versus caving into lowering yourself to receive a watered down version. The reality is that everything will not go exactly how we would like it, but there are certain times when you know you hold a vision that will not budge when it comes to settling for something lesser.

I had a taste of this recently when I encountered numerous rejections and a waitlist deferment to start law school this fall. I am so excited to start the education and equipping to become a lawyer. I was also equally eager to begin this fall to start knocking out the three years of rigor to achieve my goal of passing the bar and becoming a practicing attorney. This has always been a dream and more so a call that I can feel in my heart. I applied to one other school in late summer as I was still holding out hope and recently received an acceptance letter. At first there was an unexpected excitement as it had been out of mind and I started making pivot plans to apply for next fall. Then I paused and reviewed the school, schedule requirements, and counted the cost. I also thought about how the school I really want to attend is still considering me and I can better my chances of being accepted there. In short, I decided to hold my cards and not compromise my true desires for law school. My true desire to experience a full time on campus experience versus a part time. My true desire to immerse myself in the process to excel versus being partially distracted by a demanding job and course load. One of the greatest powers we possess is that of choice and making decisions that we deem are best. Use your power of choice to determine when to hold your cards and when to play them. Above all, seek God to ask for wisdom on when to move and when to wait according to His perfect will. 

Joy Gem: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - James 1:5 NIV