ROI

Most have heard the term ROI, or Return On Investment (ROI). Typically a business term and deliverable where we are asked to either receive or provide some sort of ROI. This will either be some sort of financial or awareness type of return. Many times there are measurables in place to determine if ROI is being achieved along the life of a project. As well as there being some sort of mapped out end game, where goals have been met and everyone is happy. Now there certainly are times where said project has not necessarily met its goals and folks aren't happy. People may even lose a job. Or at least some reputation. There is frustration on both sides—the investor's and investee's.

But how many of us are willing to invest without any proof or awareness of return? Certainly when we are dealing with money and business goals, we want to see that return. We are paid to see that return. But what about our investments from a life standpoint—are we willing to invest?

As a parent we have a more innate desire for investment. They are our kids after all. And we are called to raise them as best we can. But what about if we don't see the return? Sometimes there is snubbing, and disrespect. What empowers us to keep on? A sense of duty? And what energy do we continue to apply?

When it comes to our community, or our "fellow man", it can perhaps be even harder to invest without the return. We may give, and simply have our giving taken. Unthanked. Or even unnoticed. Would we give again?

Even in our professional lives, will we continue to go to the proverbial well? I imagine someone in the counseling or teaching field would find this sort of investment drudgery a lot of the time. Outside of a paycheck (small as it is for most of these folks), what motivates?

I wonder what God felt when he invested in us through His son, Jesus. I suppose with His omnipresent perspective he has a good idea as to His return on that investment. So many times our actions and attitude leaves Him snubbed, disrespected, unthanked, unnoticed underpaid. Fortunately for us His well is deep and He continues to invest...