“All options are on the table” is political journalist jargon of 2025. One would think a leader in government would have certain parameters to go by. If we go on to explore more news headlines, searching for some comment that has a morsel of actual content, repeatedly the result is the same; no substance. These empty news headlines are designed to incapacitate and neutralize any desire for productivity. They mostly target the weak.
In the financial investment world, hedging the market is a tool to protect you from excessive loss in the event of untoward or unsuspected movement of the said investment. In the day-to-day world, hedging is similar to buying vehicle insurance to pay out losses in the event of collision or other damage. A person who is not “all in” will hedge. In a sense they are a player, but are not fully committed to the game, or else feel incapable of commitment.
In this writing I am not attempting to analyse politicians or teach the rules of investment. I am trying to shed light on the risk and advantages of commitment.
If we talk a lot but say nothing, our speech will not incriminate us; but our excessive use of time might.
David and Goliath in I Samuel 17
Verse 43 – Goliath “said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?…
Verse 44 – “…I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air…”
Verse 45 – David said “…Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
Verse 47 – “…for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”
In this account there was no hedge fund. There was no car insurance. There was no Plan B. The army of God didn’t stand behind David with arrows nocked, ready to cover if David’s plan failed. It was Man to Man or, should we say…Man to boy. David was “all in”. He was committed.
Do you and I approach life in a committed way? In our business dealings? In our life plan? I’m not advocating a careless and ruthless half-thought-through attack. David had faced the bear and had slain the Lion. He acknowledged that it had been the hand of the Lord that guided him. However, if he had turned tail and run as soon as the odds were against him, there would have been no conquered bear and lion and, ultimately, no conquered Goliath and with it, a freedom of the People of God.
Use history. Use strategy. Use a clearance from the God we serve. Sometimes those we trust will question; perhaps criticize. David’s older brother accused him of Pride.
Samuel 17:28 – “…and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? … I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart…”
Search your heart for pride. Back up when God directs. Don’t, however, allow shallow opinion to stop you from full commitment. Get away from “All options are on the table.”
