Presumptioin

In the midst of dealing with the normal day to day management challenges that one faces in business, I find myself confronted by self centeredness.  The challenge is not the incremental money required to “solve” the problem.  The amount is, in the scheme of million dollar payrolls, investments, and budgets, relatively small.  Instead, it is the presumption of one individual that his needs, no wants, take precedence over all other perspectives.  Candidly, I did not anticipate this.  Yet, the presumption is there and I will need to struggle with the options, eventually coming to terms with the problem and my solution.
It is interesting to reflect on the perspective of the protagonist.  The actions reflect a character in a real play of yesteryear.  “Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, 'Look here.'  He looked up, expecting to get something from them.”  (Acts 3.5)  As I visualize the scene, I realize the character is instinctively reacting to life as it unfolds.  There is no awareness beyond the immediate.  The events of prior days have little influence or relevance.  The possibilities, endless as they may be, are beyond the vision of the player in the center.  The complexities and nuances of the scene are lost to his reflection.  He is simply reacting without thought or vision.  His casual approach to life comes at great risk, yet he is oblivious to what might happen in the minutes, hours, and day to come.  He simply knows where he is, what he expects to happen, and his role in making that reality real.
I wonder how different I am when it comes to God.  I often find myself looking at my feet.  I struggle to see beyond the immediate at hand.  I find myself caught in the immediate – longing for something different, unable or unwilling to see how my decisions and actions continue to build obstacles between where I am with my god and where I could be with the God of Compassion, Love, and Community.  There is hope; presumptions are a choice.