f a I t h

Thinking toward the future, dreaming of what could be is a lot of fun and it opens up our minds to see possibilities. Intentionally investing in the future is a little bit different, however. It reads like such a "big" thing to do... and yet it can be a difficult thing - because it usually requires some sacrifice in the present for a larger payoff in the future.

I'm continuing to share thoughts built on an acrostic for the word Faith. The "F" in faith stands for remember the foundations and "A" stands for take action. Now we are to the "I" which stands for invest in the future.

It seems to me that this is one of the biggest challenges. We invest money in some endeavor, hoping for a pay off, a profit for doing so. Investing spiritually takes quite a different view. In my experience, it is most difficult for leaders, parents, and all of us in general to continually value investing in the spiritual future. Perhaps because more so than investing money, the payoff is uncertain... it is a matter of faith... it is believing in something we cannot see, or may not be able to see. We may not be able to measure the profit.

Browse Hebrews chapter 11, with this common lens for our day: is this convenient for me. Consider Abraham's inconvenience to live in a tent looking for a promised son for so many years. I wonder if Joseph found being a slave or being unjustly imprisoned a convenient investment in the future. Apply that lens to Moses, or David, or the prophets, or to those tortured for their faith. God recognized them this way - "the world was not worthy of them" (11:38).

Then enter Hebrews 12. Because we have these witnesses, let us run with perseverance, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, endure discipline, make every effort to live in peace, when you worship you have come to the city of the living God. Intentionally invest in the future, God's way. You just won't regret it long term!

I believe that Intentionally Investing spiritually in the future puts a whole new light on:

• opportunities to worship and praise God
• opportunities to learn from his Word
• opportunities to hang out with his people
• opportunities to serve and love people closer to Jesus

When I focus on what I am investing in God -- over the immediate feedback I may receive -- my values change. May we ever strive to see that serving God is never a waste or a less important than the urgency pressed upon us by the world or our choices. I wish I was better at Intentionally Investing.