Missed Opportunities

Let me share a paradox in my life. One of my greatest fears is also one of my greatest regrets. My fear is that I will miss a big opportunity. My regret is that I have missed big opportunities. This week we will continue our series as we look at the Values of Faith Driven Entrepreneurs. We will continue to ask questions about what does it take to develop institutions that will sustain our community for generations.

Allow me to tell one story of my regret. Fifteen years ago, our family first planned to move to Africa. A colleague of mine became aware of an individual who was selling his personal well stocked book library for $1,000. He showed me the book titles and it was an amazing list. The value of this individual's personal library would have cost $5,000 to $10,000 to purchase. For some unique reason, he needed to sell it quickly. My colleague wanted to know if I would split the cost of the library with him. For $500 we could share a library we'd treasure. It was unlikely we would ever get such an opportunity again.

At the time, money was very tight. We pinched every Franc (or U.S. penny) to survive. I was afraid of spending $500. Where would it come from? Would the investment be used for some good purpose? I out of fear chose not to participate in purchasing the library with my colleague. Without my participation my colleague was unable to on his own raise the $1,000. The opportunity left us.

A few months later we arrived at our posting together. We surveyed the needs of the community, and concluded a library was in order. Our first project was to start a library. My colleague never embarrassed me and told me that we should have purchased the initial library, but in my spirit I knew my fear had cost us an opportunity.

Three months ago, I participated in a seminar with MINALOC where they requested for churches to teach on values that would lead to Rwanda's development. One of the values they believe needs to be avoided for development is accountability so that opportunities are not lost with paralyzing fear.

We can be tempted to think that if we only had more foresight we would not miss these big opportunities. However, I think there is a bigger issue at hand. This week we will study the story in Numbers 13 and 14 of 12 spies who survey a land of great promise. They were all unanimous that the land was one of great economic potential. However, only 2 believed that they possessed the necessary military might to make the land of promise their home. The rest became very good at making excuses and even decided they preferred the safety of slavery over economic opportunity. Thousands of years later we make fun of those who acted out of fear, but if we are honest with ourselves we will see that we often make the same choices.

In the end we need to see that the story of 12 spies thousands of years ago and today's missed opportunities are remarkably similar. We need to see that in reality we are all living in a time where God continues to mold the circumstances of humanity for His purposes. Our choice is just if we will participate with Him.

Rick Warren says it well, "Don't pray, God bless what I am doing. Instead pray, God help me do what you are blessing." Can we find God's blessing today, and not squander His opportunity?

I hope to see you Sunday as we discuss how to best seize today's God moments.

Imana ikurinde,

Dave