Uncertainties

I’ve recently been preparing for our upcoming quarterly office meeting. Like most companies, our typical agenda involves general updates on the state of the firm and the status of various initiatives and projects. As I prep for this next meeting, there seems to be a growing undercurrent of anxiety in the office regarding our future workload. Every design and construction company has the same challenge of continuing to find and win new work as current contracted work ends. The graph of how the efforts of current contracts end over time is often referred to as the “going out of business curve”. Unfortunately the recession has turned this figurative statement into something all too literal for many in our industry. Our firm is in a good position, but there is always a level of uncertainty about the future. My hope for the coming office meeting is to combat the negative and counterproductive speculation with accurate information that focuses us on doing what could and should be doing and rather than worring about the things out of our control.

Of course there are no shortages of other topics that have a similar sort of uncertainty. The economy (national and international), the upcoming election, the growing deficit, poverty, natural disasters, terrorism, the environment, health/disease, our family members and our interpersonal relationships are all topics fraught with uncertainties. I think it is important to be aware of uncertainties as they can fuel wise action, but we have to guard against being consumed by them.

If we don’t acknowledge the uncertainty and fragility of things, our “certainty” can become a huge risk and blind spot. Do you remember all the publicity around the predicted Second Coming of Christ about this time last year? While I would have welcomed it to be true, I didn’t subscribe to May 21, 2011 being the date (Matt 24:36). Even so, I was intrigued with the reports of what those who did believe the certainty of the dates and what they had done in approach of “the end”. I read of one man who quit his job and took on debt to take his family to see the Grand Canyon. Another used his life savings to rent billboards to warn and encourage repentance. As I considered the stories I had an awkward mix of pride and humility. I was glad that I had not been so foolish but at the same time questioned if I was living with intention and conviction. Was I making time to spend quality time with those I love while I have the time? Did my checkbook reflect my beliefs? What’s the balance of living like there might not be a tomorrow (since there might not) with wise preparation for the future?

Jesus focused on these questions about the future, uncertainties and how we should live in chapter 24 & 25 of Matthew. I’d encourage you to read it, but my summary of what Jesus is saying to us is; “Don’t panic, endure and pray. Know that you’ve been entrusted with important relationships and resources. Be willing and able to accept the responsibility to manage, invest and feed rather than assuming someone else should & will do it. Be ready and prepared for different possibilities and potentials. Focus on helping those in real need, rather than focusing on yourself and your own little world.”

I’ve got a long way to move these words into action, but I’m more and more convinced that all our uncertainties are a call to trust God first, act faithfully to help others second and worry about ourselves last.