The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin is a compelling challenge to awaken the artist within you.  If you have followed Seth Godin’s blog or have read his other books you will see some familiar themes refashioned in a systematic presentation.

The title of the book is derived from Greek mythology.  Icarus sought to escape from the island of Crete and his father, Daedalus, was a famed craftsman.   Daedalus constructed wings of feathers held together by wax.  He warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun because the wax would melt and he also told him not to fly too close to the sea.  Icarus however, in his exuberance flew too close to the sun and the wax melted, the feathers fell off, and Icarus discovered that gravity is not just a good idea but it’s the law.

This story is used as a warning against ambition – do not fly too high or it will result in a crash.  This is a valid warning but the problem is we often over-correct.  In our effort to play it safe we ignore the other warning and we fly too low.   The Icarus Deception therefore is to fail to achieve great heights because we are seeking to play it safe.  When your primary motivation is to play it safe you rarely experience great accomplishments.  Jesus likewise challenged his followers,

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  (Mark 8:35)

God calls us to step out in faith and trust Him.  Godin wisely observes, “The cost of being wrong is dwarfed by the cost of not trying” (p. 217).  What great step of faith is God calling of you?

Dr. Rick Higgins

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University