As we enter 2009 , all of us are concerned about the economy, making ends meet, being successful and living a meaningful existence. We’ve seen the news stories about those who’ve lost their jobs, their homes and their savings; and we either fall into this category ourselves or know someone who does. Many of us are anxious about a future that seems uncertain, but I believe that the future is in fact certain… we just need ‘eyes to see and ears to hear’ in order to take advantage of the opportunities that stand before us. My life is far from perfect and sometimes I get anxious too, so I’ve been pondering my own existence, making observations and looking to the Bible for guidance. Here are five things to consider as we seek to press forward in 2009.

A CRISIS POINT

First , realize that we are in a Crisis. People tend to look at this word in only a negative sense. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the word, Crisis, simply means, ‘a crucial point or situation; a turning point.’ Now this doesn’t mean that a crisis (like what we’re facing with the economy and mass layoffs) isn’t life threatening; because a crisis can be life threatening; but each crisis brings with it the opportunity to become life-giving. How is this possible? Because each crisis we face gives us the opportunity to change, to grow, to mature, to break free from the norm, the average, the status quo, from a level of comfort and entitlement that actually layers over and smothers the deep issues in the embers of our soul. There is a tremendous deepness to each of us that we rarely recognize until a crisis comes along and forces us to look at things from a different perspective: a deepness that draws us to ask, ‘Who am I? Why am I here? What are my capabilities? What’s my purpose?’ The Bible says that ‘God has placed eternity in our hearts…’ so when we are faced with a crisis, it reveals that layering up material goods simply because we can, will never ultimately satisfy us. No… what satisfies us is walking in our purpose, which is never sorely affected by outside circumstances. So view a crisis for what it is – with all of its intensity - then catch sight of the opportunity it brings. A loss in one area opens up the door for a gain somewhere else.

PANIC?

Second , don’t panic. When a person panics they lose a sense of stability. We may be in a crisis – but don’t panic. Panic is defined (in The American Heritage Dictionary) as, ‘a sudden, overpowering terror that often affects many people at once.’ Now I’ve never seen a person who was overcome with worry and anxiety ever make a good decision. Panic will cloud your mind and make it impossible for you to make a sound judgment. According to Microsoft Word, a synonym for panic is to ‘lose control of yourself.’ Find a way to work through your panic, fear, anxiety and worry so you can make clear and level-headed decisions about your day to day responsibilities and where you want to go in life. Don’t let fear control you. For every situation there is a right decision. Don’t let panic keep you from seeing it.

A PLAN…

Third , believe that God has a plan for your life. Please allow me to share a personal story with you. Back in 1992, on my first day as a college freshman at Bethune-Cookman University, after my parents helped me move in, I quickly moved them out because I was ashamed to be seen with them by the other students. A couple of hours later, I was in a panicked state as a financial aid officer told me that I needed to pay thousands of dollars to pay for a portion of my tuition that was delinquent. As I sat in a large classroom with over fifty other students about to sign away our lives to student loans, I looked up and saw my dad standing in the doorway and immediately jumped up and ran to him! “Dad!” “What are you doing here?” he asked. I quickly told him everything and when I was done he said, “I told you we took care of everything.” Minutes later we were in the office sitting with the president of Financial aid, who turned out to be one of my dad’s friends. A quick look at the records revealed that my parents had already made the necessary provisions for my school expenses. A miscommunication caused my name to be placed on the incorrect list. Needless to say, after this event, I was extremely proud to walk with my parents anywhere on or off college campus!

God has already made a way for you and I to prosper in life and make an impact while being successful. Don’t try to hold onto the things which are out of your control. The plans God has for you are greater and more fulfilling than anything you could come up with on your own.  So, take some time to quiet yourself before the LORD. Things look clearer when you slow down a bit. It ultimately doesn’t matter what’s going on around us with our economy because God has always had his own way of doing things that are beyond any earthly economy - where stocks never take a nose dive and bank accounts never go into the red. The real question is, ‘will you run to Him and seek His guidance and direction or will you try to do life independent of Him?’ Believe that God has a plan for your life.

DESTINY!

Fourth , destiny is waiting on us. There’s a cause and effect for every action we take or don’t take. Once you believe that God has a plan for your life, you need to move to the next level and begin to act. Don’t just sit around sulking, wishing things would be different – do something. My pastor, Rev. Dr. Shellie Sampson Jr., said at our New Year’s Eve Celebration Service, ‘An old mind can’t go in a new direction.’ So if you want to do something different with your life and see new opportunities, you’ve got to begin the process of changing the way you think, believe, and act.

Did you know that most people spend more time planning their vacations than planning the intricate details that direct the overarching direction of their lives? Now is the time to develop yourself and to help others develop themselves. My wife and I watched a movie called Vantage Point, which deals with a single tragic event seen through the eyes of various people. Throughout the movie we find that each character only has a piece of the puzzle and it takes everyone’s interaction to fully understand what happened. In essence, when characters chose to help each other, they were also being developed and empowered. In a very similar way, as you help others develop themselves, things will become even clearer in your own life.

Even though a plan for your life exists, it’s not just going to magically come to you. There are things you must do – you have to play your part and your part is (as my pastor says) to ‘be ready to be ready.’ Develop your gifts and talents. Work through your fears and weaknesses. Be open to learning new things. This way you’ll be able to do two things: 1. Walk through the door when a good opportunity presents itself. 2. Create your own door of opportunity. So learn that new language, take that new class, write that new book, it’s time to start creating.

CLEAN UP ON AISLE 10!

Fifth , clean up your junk corner. My wife and I live in an apartment and I’ve got this corner of the living room that is supposed to be the creative work area for my writing, drawing, music and video work. But somehow it keeps managing to accumulate a lot of ‘stuff’ that makes doing any kind of meaningful work practically impossible. And let’s not talk about trying to find something I need! Talk about frustrating.

I don’t care what kind of ‘system’ you may have to get things done in your own junk corner, it will always be faster and more efficient and meaningful when you clean it up and put things in their proper place. I’m always amazed how much more work I can get done – and how more creative I can be – when my junk corner is transformed back into my creative workspace. It’s time to streamline our lives people! Move those things, which clog and slow your development, out of the way. And don’t wait for things to be perfect before you begin moving, otherwise you’ll never do anything.

THE FUTURE AWAITS…

Finally , honestly, even with the way our economy is going, I’m very excited about the possibilities that are available to us in this New Year. I’m choosing to believe God as the Source of all my provision; while trying to stay away from a panicked, survival mode mentality because I believe it smothers the creative ability that God has given me. By the way, just in case you didn’t know, God has given you a creative ability, too.

Ultimately, it’s not fear that will get us through these tough economic times, it’s faith, hope, love, passion, creativity, change and innovation. So press forward into this New Year – not in fear and trepidation – but with faith and hope. Believe God to be your Source. Change your vantage point: survey your crisis and see where you are and where God wants to take you. Don’t panic. Develop yourself and others. Start walking.

Life won’t always be easy. You will encounter situations beyond your control, but take heart… quiet your heart and mind before the LORD… and then move forward. Choose purpose over the status quo and you will live a life that is significant.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-Allen Paul Weaver III-

SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES

Proverbs 21:5 Diligence
Proverbs 18:16 Gifts making room for you
Proverbs 22:29 Excellence
Proverbs 20:13 Perception
Proverbs 8:10-11 Wisdom
Proverbs 10:4 Diligence

Proverbs 24:10 Adversity

Proverbs 24:27 Preparation

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Meaning of Work
Isaiah 48: 17 God’s Mentoring
Jeremiah 29:11 God’s Plan
James 4:10 Exaltation

Tagged with: • • • •

Filed under: Articles • Risks and Opportunities • Self-Help

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!