IPO AND YOU

From MY Perspective - - -

What is an IPO? It is not a newly designed Drone! It is not another acronym for a newly developed weapons system. Usually, any reference to an IPO is in reference to an initial public offering  when a former privately held company decides to make its stock shares available for purchase to the general public. One of the more recent IPO offerings was Facebook. The IPO price was $38.00 per share. While it had a brief flurry upwards to $45.00 per share, it soon began to decline in price until it reached a low of $17.55 per share. It closed yesterday at $19.64 per share. Many of you are not invested in the Stock Market and would have little interest in any IPO offering of the Facebook sort.

We shift our focus to IPO and YOU. We think of it not in terms of financial investment but in reference to one’s world and life view. What is your role in and for this world? What levels of commitment have you made for your life? What are your core values? Do you see the world as being out of control and beyond your ability to make a significant difference in it? Do you see a Goliath on the horizon, gifted at ridicule and disdain, who is causing fear and hopelessness? In like manner, can you be the David who is willing to risk all to confront that which is false and godless in the world today? Is it up to someone else to engage the culture and attempt to draw attention to the Moral Compass and basic Core Values? Are you willing to use your slingshot and five smooth stones to engage our Goliath, namely, the culture?

The IPO and YOU has a special meaning: “I” = Influence; “P” = Proponent; “O” = Occupy. This is not suggesting joining some political party or secular movement. It is not aligning oneself with some radical cause. It is drawing a line in the sand and a readiness to say – “Enough!” It is reverting back to a Biblical principle stated in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (disgrace) to any people.” There is an embrace of The Message Paraphrase that states: “God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.” There is an adherence to Proverbs 29:2, “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rules, the people mourn.” This is the foundational principle upon which and from which the IPO and YOU is established and built.

There is an IPO that should gain one’s interest and investment. It will make a lasting impact in one’s life, as well as in one’s culture. “I” – Influence is simply the implementation of the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV), "You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” In other words, be a positive influence in and to your generation. Question – are you the positive influence you should and need to be?

“P” – Proponent is simply being one who is an advocate, as well as an adherent to and in a worthy cause. It is implementing Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV), “… go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” It is like one beggar telling another beggar the source of food, nourishment and life. Question – are you concerned for those who have lost their way and our floundering in the ocean of life? Are you willing to attempt to rescue them? 

“O” – Occupy is simply being one who is unashamed and unabashed to be identified in a righteous cause. It is the implementation of Luke 19:13 (KJV), “And he (a nobleman) called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” The word “occupy” is translated in different versions to mean “invest, engage in business, conduct business until I return.” Occupy does not mean you should become similar to a Monument in the Town Square. It means growing where you are planted and being engaged in that which will make a difference in our culture and the lives of others. Question – are you more like a Monument being a perch for birds, or like a David who will conquer your own fears and engage the Goliath in the Valley? The IPO and YOU – you can’t escape it! You need to be and do it!  Consider these things with me!