Opportunity Is Now
You’ve heard the proverb that says the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the next best time is today. The encouragement is, of course, that now is our best chance to impact the world for the better. The opportunity is now.
The old British financier Baron Rothschild is famously attributed this little ditty; “Buy when there’s blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own”. The encouragement there is to take advantage of the situation (market) when folks are afraid. Warren Buffett chimes in more currently with his encouragement on growing wealth; “I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Friends – can I be candid with you? (I hope you’ll trust that there is love in my heart as I say this – lots and lots of love.) If you simply want more and more of the wealth that society offers you will get sicker and sicker and sicker. The wealth of our world can be measured, in part, by the very conveniences and crutches that we work so hard to surround ourselves with. I’m not throwing the old Baron under the bus or backing over Mr. Buffett’s quote here by questioning it – but I am tossing the yellow hanky on the field and suggesting you do the same.
Being wealthy isn’t the point. Being greedy IS the point. Blood in the streets – not the point. Capitalizing on fear is the point.
Five years ago, this month we entered into the scandalous season of a global pandemic. Do a little research on the profit margins made by companies that made things like toilet paper, N95 masks, whiskey and other alcohol, tobacco products, cannabis. Do a little research on the margins made by big pharma during that time. Look at the growth in online streaming services. Look at the decline in areas that foster communal growth and health.
Friends – fear comes from untruth. Every time! To laud the maxims that encourage opportunistic moves (like buy more toilet paper) because of fear is to give power and voice to the very lie that is being both perpetuated and perceived as real. NO – question the maxims that give voice and power to fear. More candidly still – RUN to the voice of truth and sit there. Just pop a squat and listen to the voice of truth.
There is much to be said here. No one wants to admit their fear. Every.Single.Person will bury their anxieties and put on their best game face, given how this world works.
But we know the truth. Fear and anxiety always lurk around our lives – people (we) struggle with this stuff. The God who created us knows the truth and He still speaks it to and over us. I know many folks don’t believe that, but it doesn’t make it untrue. The true God loves in a way that drives out every fear and anxious thought.
So let the seed of truth be planted in you today, watered and such. Today the seed that will become a great tree of unshakable faith and beauty – let that seed take root and grow. The past is gone – today is a gift – receive the gift of that truth today in love. And, YES, you will go out and be successful and victorious beyond what you’d imagined! Free and unfettered by the fear that seeks to motivate.
That’s the gift. That’s the candid reminder. That is the work we do together.
Peace~
