” What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 ESV

The best things I learn about life and walking with God comes through marriage, dancing, and daytrading.

Marriage is the platform that introduces me to self-sacrificial love and mutual submission. The same love that Jesus demonstrated through his life is put in practice everyday within the marriage relationship. The same attitude the apostle Paul writes about is likewise tested each day within the bounds of marriage. Marriage cultivates the fruit of godliness within a relationship when Christ is the center of the two. If I can’t make it work in marriage, how do I make it work elsewhere?

Ballroom dancing teaches me to lead others by mutually working together focused on the same goal. Whether we are dancing the foxtrot, waltz, or polka, two people expressing themselves through the rhythm of the music in unison is a joy to behold. Though typically one leads (the male in most circles), when professionals dance, the lead role may switch without the casual outsiders even recognizing the difference. In my early dancing attempts as a young man, I had many a widow move me around the dance floor. They knew I wasn’t ready to lead. I was happy just to learn. Later in life, I learned that there is a time to lead and a time to let the other lead. Insecurity and control are the demons that prevents one from truly experiencing the joy of following the lead of the Spirit in one’s life. Dancing teaches me the joy of mutual leadership.

Daytrading the stock market involves risk and reward built upon reality, repentance, and boundaries. To trade successfully, one needs to recognize what they may not initially see. That the market is greater than any one person and deserves a high amount of respect. Realizing its power, we need to change our thinking towards it. We need to relearn everything we think we may know about it. In a sense, we need to repent and believe in its possibilities. In the process, we need to develop boundaries that protect us from harm but yet allows us to experience the fruit of success. The trade masters from yesterday have much to say what it takes to manage our relationship with this mighty beast. For some this beast is cruel and mean robbing them of their livelihood. For others, the beast is a rewarder of those who praise and respect its might learning to live within its boundaries. I chose the latter. Like God, when one grasps His reality, repents and changes their thinking about Him, and learns to walk within His Divine boundaries, life becomes immeasurable more than just breathing, eating, and sleeping.

Now you know why I am always reminded how awesome our Triune God is whenever the subject of marriage, dancing, and daytrading come up. How about you? What activities make God come alive in your life?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married