24 of 52 Voices June 26th, 2014

The C3 Leaders devotion is a peer weekly reflection from business leaders related to their journey with Christ. Each weekly devotion will be written by a different author from among the C3 Leaders community, 52 unique authors to be exact.

As we go through this next year together, we pray that these words and reflections will encourage you in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

By Dave Crumbo

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

This was not the first thought that went through my mind when I woke up in the car after slamming into a semi truck at 60 mph. The first thing I remember was looking into the face of an Indian man who was applying pressure to my mangled arm. The next thing I saw was my blood soaked shirt. My first thought was not about joy, but that I was in India, and in real trouble.

That was just over a year ago, and I realize now that my conception of this often used scripture was not correct. My view of this scripture was through the lens of our culture’s need for instant gratification. I was looking for joy in the trial, but this experience helped me see that is likely not often the case.

As I was recovering I was completely unable to do anything about the timeframe of this process. I was a passenger, not the driver. I began to realize that all my impatience was doing was robbing me of the present moment. So much of our lives as businessmen and professionals is future focused, how often do we sacrifice the present for the drive for future results?

I know I would not trade my “forced” nap and book reading time with my granddaughter for anything, including a perfect arm. Ask yourself what you are sacrificing today for the future. Is it a good investment?