Tipping Point

The tipping point is the critical point in an evolving situation that leads to a new and irreversible development.

Of course, we all live in evolving situations. Family. Work. Relationships. Government. (insert your situation here) But to me, the key word here is ‘irreversible’. There is no going back. Once the tipping point is passed, it cannot be undone.

Probably the most famous ‘tipping point’ is ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back.” The straw itself may seem relatively small and represent an insignificant amount of weight, but the camel was already carrying the maximum load it could handle. Any more weight, and it would break. ANY more weight…like a straw. Now, the camel’s back is broken and he cannot carry anything.

Irreversible development.

I bet you wish you hadn’t put that straw on the camel’s back, huh? Well, it’s too late now.

Was it the government lawsuit against Microsoft in 2000 that was the tipping point that burst the tech bubble? Some think so. Was it the failure of Lehman Brothers or Countrywide Mortgage in 2008 that was the tipping point for the crumpling of our housing market, job market and stock market? Probably.

A news commentator stated today that the current debt ceiling/government shutdown/Obamacare deadline/deadlock in our congress is a ‘tipping point’ for our nation. I would agree, but I’m not going to talk about the economy or the government today. It only got me thinking about the ‘tipping point’.

There is a point…everybody has one. The tipping point can seem relatively small to people looking on. It was, after all, just a straw. But what is not noticed is the enormous weight of circumstances that precede the fateful moment.

There was one car that was the tipping point on the bridge that collapsed on I-35 in Minnesota several years ago. Millions of vehicles crossed the bridge during its lifespan. It was holding up the weight of several cars and trucks, then, one more car drove onto the bridge. . . and it couldn’t take it.

Irreversible development.

Or there’s the kid in school who has been bullied his whole life, then one day, ‘he just snapped.’

Tipping point. Irreversible development.

With the tipping point, it’s not one thing. It’s not that you forgot to take out the garbage or were late for dinner or broke a promise. It’s a combination of sometimes years of abuse, unacceptable behavior, unfair treatment . . . or stress.

Everybody has these moments of no return. Parents, pupils, and pastors. If you think about it, you’ve probably reached a tipping point at some time in your life. I’ve had a few in the last 51 years. I remember them well. (Only the one in fifth grade involved violence) And, I remember the straw. It seemed like such a small thing to those around me. But it was…‘the last straw’. And true to the definition, all of my tipping points resulted in an irreversible development. Good or bad, there was no going back.

What if, . . . instead of adding the straw to the camel’s back, you said, “Here, you’re carrying a lot of weight and are under so much pressure. Let me take off 25 pounds and carry it for you.” The camel could have carried hundreds of pounds everyday for many years to come. And you’d be his favorite person, because when everyone else was piling on, you lightened his load. 

Food for thought. And try not to push anyone over the edge today.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2

Enjoying the Journey,

David