Who Pays the Debt?

Do you ever have those moments when you feel like you are missing something? Everything seems to make sense, but something is still out of place. I have had one for months. Currently, CCR is going through a series on the Values of Faith Driven Entrepreneurs. The list of topics came from a seminar I attended hosted by MINALOC about 4 months ago. Something was missing from the list. I think I've found it. Tomorrow, we'll talk about it.


Stewart Emery, Jerry Poras, Mark Thompson, in their book Success Built to Last, wrote "by their nature Builders do quickly discard blame… they are clearly missing the natural human tendency to dwell on blaming other people and things for our problems. Builders may explode, grieve, and (privately) blame everything and everyone, but most appear to drop it quickly. Instead, they look at what they can change and deal with that directly without prolonged whining…. They don't make the future pay the debts of the past. They don't make the next job, or next company, or next lover, pay for their last bad experience. … You can't let the past invent your future. … Obsessing on grudges keeps them alive; letting them go forces them to die as you get back to business. … Some call this … "forgiveness," but that implies absolution, resolution, or restitution—or at least an adequate apology… much of what happens is rarely completely resolved or healed… Builders find a way to move on anyway so they can create the future…. It doesn't mean that a crime didn't take place… They don't spend their days creating conflicts built to last but success built to last. They turn wounds into wisdom by never wasting a moment of what is left of this life—never taking tragic comfort in a victimized belief that he cannot make a difference."


What is missing? We can't make the future pay the debts of the past. Theologians call this idea forgiveness. Secular leaders generally ignore it, but the best business researchers know this concept. If we don't find a way to move forward we destroy the future.


Desmond Tutu said, "There is no future without forgiveness."


Tomorrow, we will look at what many consider their favorite story in the Bible - Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers. We'll get past the childish appraisal of the story and deal with the ugly details. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. As a result he lived as a slave and prisoner for 13 years. Then he got his chance. He rose to the Prime Minister's Office in Egypt, and his brothers came begging for food. Joseph at first did what you and I probably would do. He spoke harshly and even imprisoned them. However, as time went on he discovered his brothers were suffering more than he. Also, they had deep regret. His brother and father were still alive. The family's future had only one option. Joseph could not make his brothers pay the debt of the past.


How did he do this? I don't completely know, but I know I need to discover more.


I hope tomorrow you will join our journey of discovery.


Imana ikurinde,


Dave