Serving as Chief Operating Officer for Tyndale House Publishers has been a challenging privilege. In its forty-six year history, Tyndale has experienced the heights of prosperity, as well as periods of great hardship.
Through it all, God has demonstrated his gracious sovereignty and provision and continues to bless our efforts. The year 2008 has witnessed some extraordinary economic activity. Yet, in spite of such turmoil, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father is still in control. And it is in Him that we put our faith, not in the material "securities" that have preoccupied us of late.
It would be easy to lose sight of those truths, considering the kind of upheavals we keep hearing about. Stock market volatility, record-level foreclosures, price spikes, military mobilizations . . . without a doubt, the news is unsettling. In particular, the failures of major financial institutions and the losses to our corporate investments have weighed heavily on me.
After contemplating all of these things, I began to ask myself some questions: Where is my security truly placed? Is it in my family's personal assets? My retirement plan? Tyndale House? Industry experts? Human effort? I suddenly became aware that I had shifted my focus onto my own worldly accomplishments and possessions. When times were good, I had a strong tendency to depend on myself and what I could do. But when circumstances started to change for the worse, I allowed my anxiety to eclipse time in prayer. After recognizing that fact, I started to correct my thinking and found comfort in confessing where my heart had been.
With confession, contemplation, and prayer, God graciously began to instill a new sense of hope. The Lord has been helping me to have a thankful heart instead of a fearful heart. I have a new determination to be realistic and prepared rather than pessimistic. History proves that during periods of instability, we can be confident in maintaining a long-term perspective instead of a short-term focus.
I have also refocused on the fact that Tyndale's mission is to share the gospel. Thus, this company is God's company, not ours; and He will use it as He sees fit. I am also reminded of how God has blessed Tyndale in the strength of its people and in its financial position, enabling us to weather some pretty tough storms. Our house has been built on a solid rock.
I am finding rest in our Sovereign Lord—the same Lord that . . .
- was with Israel as he delivered them out of the land of Egypt.
- was with King David during his darkest hours of despair.
- watched his Son die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.
- is weaving together world events that will culminate in the return of our Lord and King Jesus Christ.
With renewed conviction to keep my faith where it belongs, I resolve to serve our Lord no matter how difficult or great the challenge is. We do not know what tomorrow holds, but no matter what happens, we can count on the love of our Father in heaven, who will never leave us or forsake us.
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