Investing

If you are at all interested in the business and finance worlds, then you are aware of the Gamestop stock craze that occurred a few weeks ago. I won’t go into the details of that episode, but one question does come to mind when I think about these sort of moments - where within the Church do we discuss these matters?

This week’s newsletter is inspired by Lenten Gestures. One of our themes for the project is “Investing”, and we have the honor of hearing from Senior Director of the De Pree Center, Michaela O'Donnell Long, on the matter. Due to the parameters of the project, her reflection is brief. However, as I read her reflection (which is coming out tomorrow!), I kept wishing there was space to hear more of her thoughts.

I don’t believe I am the only person within the Church who craves  to find the same energetic enthusiasm surrounding discussions on entrepreneurship and financial investing that occurs outside of most church spaces. What are we missing as a community if we don’t dive into these topics?

My interest in these subjects has grown in the past several years. Lately I’ve had opportunities to turn my curiosities into actions. I recently moved out of an art studio I’d been working in for the past two years. The driving reason behind my decision was that I no longer had enough room to create the sort of projects I’ve been dreaming about. I’d simply outgrown the space. In the weeks leading up to the move I mulled over what I felt I was losing. The space held many cherished memories for me, and I was deeply grateful for my time there. It was difficult to imagine needing to leave, but the reality was that I could not grow in the way that I felt was possible if I stayed. In order to pursue that hunch in my spirit that God is unfolding something new, I needed to take the leap of faith required to move forward.

I’ve come to recognize that these sort of faith moments have greater ramifications than just my own life’s trajectory. I am intricately connected to a growing network of people who are impacted by my decisions. As God continues to invest in me by way of realized dreams and visions, those gifts and blessings extend out to many people. In short, the fruit of my life that comes from God’s investments is also for others to glean from. Who will benefit as I continue to follow the Spirit’s promptings?

Faith opportunities present twofold processes. Each time we say “yes” to exploring God’s investments in us, we unlock pathways that lead to returns on those investments that far surpass what we could dream of. The other side of this is that we also develop the capacity to learn how to undertake and manage our own investments. As Michaela details in her reflection, these investments go beyond just financial matters; they also include time, energy, and other resources.

As we deepen our understanding of the power of investing we will grow in our ability to grasp how God works through our lives for the benefit of other people. Faith moves aren’t only about proving that we trust God, but also recognizing that there is a reason God trusts us. God is keenly aware of what God has already planted, watered, and grown within us. Perhaps in time we will come to view our lives as significant investments that hold the potential to yield to God great returns, returns that produce fruit that blesses God, ourselves, and others.