Sand and Olives
I’ve just recently returned from a week at the beach with family…and now I need a vacation. Anyone relate to that? Relaxing is hard work. Fights over goggles, 120 degree pavement, and the endless supply of sand on the floor, in my sandwich, and in my bathing suit. These are rich people problems. How blessed am I that I can afford to take my family on a beach vacation in the first place? Immensely. And yet, in my fallen nature, it’s hard, sometimes, not to succumb to the weight of all the uncertainty swirling about. It’s hard, sometimes, to appreciate every moment I’ve been given rather than focus on the thorns in my side – or the sand in my pants. Anyone relate to that?
There’s plenty of financial uncertainty and pain in our world and you need look no further than your phone, computer or TV to have eye-witness video. What a small world we’ve become. Greece has problems paying its bills, and our stock market bounces around like a pinball. And that’s all you hear about until a new report emerges on the Chinese market spiral. With all this economic ruckus it can be hard not to fret about our personal situation. We ask, “How does this Greece situation affect me?” “Is this just the tip of the iceberg?” And I’m just referring to financial uncertainty. Don’t get me started on the political, cultural and spiritual battles being waged around your family and mine. So what do we do with all this noise? For a moment, let’s put the phone down and focus a little closer to home. Let’s ask ourselves one question:
Am I making wise decisions with the resources I’ve been entrusted with?
Time: Your most precious resource. How are you spending it? Time spent and the lack of time spent (neglect) both have cumulative effects.
Talents: What talents have you been blessed with? What are you doing with them and who are you sharing them with?
Resources: Give – Generosity changed the world once, and it can continue to do so. Save – It’s your family, your retirement, your responsibility. Live – Live off the rest. Remembering that your quality of life should not be confused with your standard of living.
Through a moment of introspection, I suspect most of us would have to admit we’re quite blessed – despite all the uncertainty and suffering among us, near and far. But allow me to offer one warning: Don’t feel guilty for the time, talents and resources you’ve been blessed with.
Don’t feel guilty. Feel responsible.
The above question, and the progress you make in response, may have no bearing on what happens 7,000 miles away in a country you may never set foot in…but it might. Good news changed the world once, it can do it again. What I do know is that it will affect what happens in your own home. Start there. Change the news cycle in your own home, and we’ll worry about Greece and China another day.
