Sometimes, even the fiance world can inform our faith.
Today I was having lunch with one of our incredible youth ministry volunteers. Amid discussing family, jobs and recent life news, our conversation drifted, as it often does, to our shared ministry to teenagers.
As I was voicing some recent frustrations, indulging in my tendency to overreact to little things that seem to not go as I would like, (prodigal students, lousy messages, etc.), my friend shared the wisdom of not having a knee-jerk reaction to these little things; that choosing to focus too sharply on momentary, negative details could cause me to miss the greater, better picture.
In response, I heard my voice reply, “Yeah, just like investing!”
Those words brought me back to one of the greatest financial lessons I ever learned. About sixteen years ago, I was working at my first real job out of college. The company was launching a 401K, (an investment program where you have part of your salary deducted and invested, and your employer matches a percentage).
I met with the company’s financial advisor. We looked at the kinds of investments might be wise, based on my anticipated retirement date, what kinds of risk I was comfortable with, etc. We agreed on a plan, and then he said something I’ll never forget:
“Now, don’t look at it too often or too closely.”
He could see by my face, that I was puzzled. He went on…
“Remember, this is a long-term investment. The market will fluctuate wildly from day-to-day. It will be easy to get caught-up in that volatility, and want to pull your money out at the first big loss, but don’t think in terms of days, or months or even years… Think decades. Just trust in the plan and relax.”
He was right. I know tons of people who don’t get this; who check the stock ticker daily, (dare I say, “religiously”), and whose moods and dispositions rise and fall with the market. They just don’t think long-term and get torn-up about current losses.
This financial truth applies to matters of faith too.
Whether you’re a pastor or youth worker, trying to determine whether or not your ministry is bearing fruit…
Whether you’re a parent, looking for evidence that your work is making a difference in your family…
Whether you’re just an “ordinary” Christian, wondering if you’ll ever have the kind of mature faith you’ve always heard is possible.
It can be so tempting to overreact to every little spiritual road bump; to experience momentary failures, disappointing seasons, or even years of negative experiences, and want to chuck it all; to give-up, walk-way, or just quit.
But you have chosen to live, serve or labor for Him. You have invested wisely. You have placed your resources in good hands. Now you need to trust the plan. Don’t be too distracted by what looks like immediate failure, and don’t be sidetracked by one day’s disheartening events. Keep your treasure where it is.
Because the really cool thing is, this investment isn’t just long-term, my friends. It’s eternal.
Be encouraged.
