Good Investment

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 

An investment advisor said, "It's an unfortunate fact that few investors can consistently beat the market. That's because it often takes one or more of the following rare traits... 

 * The vision to identify breakthrough products, leaders, and brands 

 * The knowledge to spot an undervalued gem 

 * The courage to buy and hold when others are running scared." 

 Is it not true that our Christian life can be compared to a good investment? God's word assures us that we can emerge a winner if we trust in Jesus and have faith that we will inherit eternal life. 

 As Christians we are called to have a mission and vision for our lives. We strive to identify work, places, family, friends, books, music, and many other things whom we will serve and occupy our time. Some will boost our standing and rating in the world and others will help us to grow spiritually. Some may even be just plain junk which one day you will trash because we have no place to store any more. How many winners do you have in your portfolio for your Christian life? 

 We identify leaders who will guide us to a more fruitful life. Fruitfulness of this kind does not necessarily bring any greatness or wealth. However it can lead us to green pastures of peace and joy in all we do. It does not keep us constantly under great pressure to keep looking over our shoulders and try to keep up with the Jones or Smith. All it asks of you is to reach out to this invisible God and to give of your best for his service in reaching out to those in need. What hidden talents and gifts do you have? Is there some one you can share it with? Have you experienced the joy of giving up something dear so that someone else may enjoy and live a fruitful life? 

 Today because of a single lady's vision and sacrifice a big institution has risen to serve the medical community all over the world. Ida Scudder's vision came when she learn't that three women had died at her fathers mission community due to the lack of a woman doctor. She was convinced that God was calling her to begin a ministry to serve the medical needs of the women and children of India. After graduating as one of the first women graduates of the Cornell Medical College she returned to India. 

 She opened a one-bed clinic in Vellore in 1900. One hundred years later the clinic has grown phenomenally into 2,000 outpatients per day, 1,000 inpatients, 43 operations, 22 clinics, and 16 births. Ten Bible Classes are held each day and 380 patients are visited by a Chaplain. In addition, there is the work of CHAD, CONCH, and RUSHA, which go out to the villages and rural areas bringing methods of disease prevention, health care and community empowerment to tens of thousands more. Started with one woman and her vision, CMC employs over 4300 people today. 

 We never know when God calls us. We never know how far a simple step as to open a one bed clinic may one day lead to. But it is our willingness to listen to that still small voice that asks us to take the step forward. Have you found the pearl of great price ? Have you been asked to sell all you have to acquire it? Do you have the courage to make Christ the center of your life when others are centering in on fame and fortune?