IGBTY

July 6, 2015

“I’ll get back to you.”

When’s the last time you heard that Grand Finale? You were feeling pretty good, because you just made your case better than ever before. Whether at the end of a first date, or after an appointment to present the opportunity found in your professional niche to a prospect, those five words (six, without the contraction) say something very different than their face value. “Let them down easy” is the theme song playing in the background; the conversation is now… over. IGBTY is the bell, tolling for you…

It’s a plague: give two people the same input, calling for the same decision… and one says, “Yes!” while the other says, “IGBTY.” Follow the two, over time: which is more likely to succeed?

Ken Goldstein’s blog  is CorporateIntel; his resume includes roles with Disney Online and Chair/CEO at shop.com. He writes: Those who tell you they will get back to you and don’t are not at the top of the food chain, no matter what they think. They are insecure, weak, or hiding something. These are people who are there when they need you, invisible when you have nothing to offer them. They are not just disingenuous, they are deceived.

In the 21st Century, the majority of Americans are suffering from Vitamin D Deficiency. Causes include lack of sunshine on skin and vegan diets, among other things. In an effort to be healthy, the unintended consequences of insufficient D include higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and cancer.

In the 21st Century, the majority of American Christians are suffering from Commitment Deficiency (CD). Causes include worries and wealth: “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”  (Matthew 13:22.) The unintended consequence is an unfruitful life that creates no eternal value.

The marketplace is suffering from CD: when a better option comes along, people are no longer reliable. Marriages are suffering from CD; dating partners are more likely to make babies than to make vows, and married partners are too often caught by surprise when their covenant partner is now linked to someone else.

Peter knew that the Enemy would specialize in attempting to expose CD in Christians. His caution: “…do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:12-19.)

When’s the last time you were impacted by someone who was suffering from chronic CD? Did you see what it did to their potential for impact? Did you see the effect it had on you?

Here’s my challenge today: run a spiritual CT scan on yourself, and make sure that there are no seeds of CD that may be festering. Cut them out… or suffer the consequences!

Bob Shank