Global Humbling

My friend, Famous Dave, sent me an insightful and thought provoking e-mail yesterday. It's a brief essay written by Art Erickson, co-founder and CEO of Urban Ventures .

With Art's gracious permission, I am sharing it with you:

" 'Be careful that no one misleads you,' returned Jesus, 'for many will come in my name saying, "I am Christ",and they will mislead many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars - do not be alarmed. Such things must indeed happen, but that is not the end. For one nation will rise in arms against another, and one kingdom against and other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in different parts of the world. But all that is only the beginning of the birth-pangs." Matthew 24:4-8

You hear people ask today, "How long will it take before we get back to normal?" Wrong question! We will never go back to normal! There are only "new normals" ahead, and no one knows what they look like. In fact, in this new global political-economy, there will be many 'new normals'.

In the days ahead we must ask the following questions:
"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Psalm 11:3 (NIV)
Who and what can you depend on when everything fades away?
How can businesses, non-profits, churches, and homes be the new triage centers?
This great Global Humbling is occurring today and we really don't know what is coming tomorrow for it is coming with rapidity


  • It is the Great World Leveler (the poor have always scrambled for their 'daily bread'... now everyone will)!

  • Realism is the new optimism!

  • Social Pragmatism is the ultimate social value!

In this environment it is important to:

  • Not be wed to the past.

  • Not be tied to your former role or any role.

  • Throw out the playbook...

  • Realize everyone is out on the front lines... ( and perhaps the streets).

The four distinguishing characteristics of those who will make it will be those who are:

  • Resilient

  • Agile

  • Creative

  • Choose their focus.

So in this new reality we need to accept and realize that:

  • I need a new pragmatism for these new normals.

  • I need to Reset My Buttons.

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