Skip to main content

New Article: Think Abundance Not Scarcity

 

               “There are no trees in Saskatchewan!”

               I have heard that statement many times, mostly from people who moved to Estevan from places like British Columbia or northern Ontario.  Compared to what they expect, Saskatchewan, and Estevan in particular, seems rather barren.  However, that statement is not true.  More than half the province is covered with trees.  Go up north and there are trees everywhere.

               A few months ago, I came across an aerial photo of Estevan from the 1950s.  When I showed it to my girls, the first thing they said was, “Wow, there are no trees in that picture!”  The photo looked odd to them because their understanding is that “Estevan has trees”.   They see our town differently than someone who has just moved here from British Columbia.  They see what is here, not what is lacking.

A scarcity mindset is dangerous because it only allows us to see what we do not have.  For example, if I believe that I do not have any real friends, I will automatically overlook all the good friends that I do have and notice only those who treat me poorly. 

If I could give everyone one present right now, it would be the ability to see their blessings.  Even in the worst circumstances, there is something for which to be grateful and gratitude changes everything.

               More than that, I would give us the ability to believe in a God who can do anything, anywhere and at any time.  After all, God deals in abundance, not scarcity.

               “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Article: Grace Changes Everything

               A young man broke into a business and did $5000 damage. As part of his Restorative Justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth.   Garth believes in making apologies and restitution.   It took several months, but Garth finally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.                The business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation.   He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice.   Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.                  The young man looked the business owner in the eye an...

New Article: Navigating the New Year

                 As we begin another new year, I cannot help but think of Joshua.   Moses had been leading God’s people to the promised land.   However, just before they arrived, Moses died, and Joshua was put in charge.   Faced with the uncertainty of what was coming, God gave him the following advice.                “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be stron...

New Article: We need a Better Scorecard

                   “Is that a Sun Ice?”                “Excuse me,” I said.                My friend pointed to my new ski jacket and asked again, “Is that a Sun Ice?”                It was 1991 and Sun Ice was the big name in ski wear at the time.   “No” I replied, “I can’t afford one of those”.                “Oh” he said as he lost interest and then just walked away.                I had not seen this friend in more than a year and, sadly, his first ...