TROPHY LIFE

Growing up I had a trophy shelf in my bedroom. It was full of little league and basketball awards, and even my 3rd grade spelling bee champion trophy. I was very proud of these trophies. So proud that I would take time to dust them in order for them to shine brighter.

As I grew up and moved away, I left those trophies behind at my mom and dad’s house. But the idea of trophies never left me. 

My life and my Christian service became about the collection of trophies on my shelf. 

I was very proud of them. 

But God did not create me to be a trophy collector. God did not call me to shine so I would be noticed. God created me to shine His glory, so that people would notice Him. 

If I make being a consistent Christian my goal in order to accumulate more trophies, then I’m missing the point. My trophies do not make me more appealing to God. Anything that shines brighter than God in my life will actually cause me to be separate from God! 

I have to let go of past trophies (and failures) and focus on the true prize that Jesus has called me to win. 

I cannot follow Jesus into the future if I’m holding on to the past. 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God did not create me to be a trophy on His shelf. He created me to be close to Him and reflect His glory so others would notice Him, not me. 

INVEST LIKE THE BEST

What do the best investors do that the rest of us don’t? Investment manager Gary Mishuris answered that question in a Substack post. According to Mishuris, when it comes to the best investors, they... 

1. The best investors have a calm temperament that keeps them from allowing their emotions to control them when the stock market goes on a roller coaster ride. 

2. They have the ability to “do nothing most of the time.” They make investments and then wait for those investments to grow.

3. They “focus on process over outcome.” Outcomes are important, but we can’t control them. We can control the process by making a plan (like Dollar Cost Averaging) to regularly and consistently invest over the course of our life. 

4. The best investors are humble. They know they’re not perfect, and that keeps them from making bigger mistakes caused by being over confident. 

As a follower of Jesus, my trust doesn’t get shaken based on how the stock market is doing because I trust that everything I need will come from the Lord. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (NIV) 

Whether we endure a bear market (bad times) or enjoy life in a bull market (good times), we can have peace knowing our God is with us and will provide everything we need to serve Him. 

If you are looking for a reliable investment strategy, try taking a dollar cost averaging approach where you systematically invest your money each month. Contact me to learn more!  

Email Wade: wadeallen.coach@gmail.com