As I sat down this morning, I knew that I needed to spend some time writing. I needed to work on a banquet recap, begin working on a quarterly newsletter, and begin the next round of e-blasts.
While I could address the banquet, I was looking for some inspiration for additional articles and turned to Facebook asking what others had been thinking about recently. The answers surprised me and led to a whole new round of interesting things to write about.
Rodney suggested: What does life look like walking and living out Proverbs day by day?
Good question! I figured I better flip to a Proverb to start thinking about this. I picked the 27th. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. . .” vs. 1-2.
Pretty heavy for just the first two verses. While I don’t often boast about tomorrow’s plans, I do get caught up in them. I can easily let my mind get trapped in the snare of trying to plan out every detail, fretting over aspects that I am powerless to control. Usually, after an intense bout of stress and mental calculations, my expectations about how things would/should go, are altered by the reality of life’s unpredictability. You would think by now I would have learned to “chill out”. The Proverbs are right—you (I) do not know what a day may bring forth.
As for seeking praise, I apply that directly to business (thought it definitely has personal applications as well). I can hoot and holler about how great we are as a station or company, but is that really going to make an impact? Rather, if I let our hard work be praised by others, their testimony/recommendation will go much farther in the long run.
Ed says: Given the availability of very large electronic databases, if it is possible to empirically identify fascinating relationships between different seemingly unrelated variables in the field of corporate finance.
I don’t know Ed, but the questions going through your mind made me very glad that God created us so differently! I will say thought, that I’ve been surprised time and again at how interconnect things really are. While I don’t understand your financial world, it’s a vital part of our economy and affects my daily life. My data, stored in a wide variety of databases, will help you make decisions that will in turn come back and impact me. To connect you back to Rodney and his quest, I will have you contemplate Proverbs 27:23 which seems to be wise financial council: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”
Steve has a two year-old and is mulling over: The little train that could.
I assume he’s referring to the classic children’s book “The Little Engine That Could.” Now if that’s not ripe with writing applications, I don’t know what is! While the “I think I can” mantra can be a great motivator, I need to remind myself that “I know God can, I know God can.”
We all have mountains in front of us. Some are financial, some are personal/relational and some are faith journeys. While we need to keep walking, putting one foot in front of the other, our ultimate power needs to come from God’s engine.
Kim writes: The rapture, Come Lord Jesus!
To Kim I say, “Amen!” I too feel a sense of weariness trying to get up all of those mountains ahead. Until we get to that finish line, we can walk with Rodney through a Proverbs daily life, look for how God can use us to connect with Ed and others and chug ahead with Steve.
Finally, Renee is pondering: Walking with faith.
This is really what it boils down to, isn’t it? I can think of no better verse to sum this up than “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Renee, I would suggest reading through Hebrews 11 to get encouragement from the testimony of those who walked up their mountains, holding firm to their faith in the Lord.
A big “thanks” for all of you who shared with me what was on your mind. Keep the ideas coming! I don’t know many of the answers, but I serve a big God who does. May He continue to use us, our talents, traits and curiosities for His glory as we work and think together.
