As I stand in line, trying to decide whether to push through or not, I notice something very interesting. Almost all of the restaurants and coffee shops in The Terraces are full and have long wait lists. This comes to me as a shock as I have never known people in Cebu to wait. It’s a tribute to the foresight and proper insight into zoning of the Ayala mall management that allows this phenomenon to develop. This is also a testament to the resiliency of the Cebu economy, but it also means that the Cebuanos have a lot of faith.

Why faith? Finance consultant Rich Lindsey from the Callcott Group in a recent business conference said, “ finance and markets are built on faith. Without it, they can't operate. Right now, faith is lacking and fear remains the religion.” Built on faith. It gets you thinking.

In the United States, the government is spending massive amounts of money to restore confidence and faith in the economy. How massive? According to Bloomberg, recent data shows that $7.4 trillion has already been committed and it’s still not enough. This does not even include yet the $30 billion or so that the big three, Ford, GM and Chrysler, from the auto industry are asking for. All of this money in order to restore confidence and faith of the consumer and the public.

At the very core, it’s simple really. When people don’t have faith in the economy, they don’t buy. When they don’t buy, stores don’t sell. When stores don’t sell, factories shut down. When factories shut down, workers are laid off. When workers are laid off, people don’t buy. It’s a simple cycle.

It frightens me how people seemed to have lost faith. When I try to comprehend the money being pledged and spent to restore confidence, the realization dawns on me that money does exist to solve most of the world’s problems. This crisis just seemed to showcase that fact. It makes me wonder how much is needed to find cure for AIDS, or hunger, to solve third world debt, to alleviate poverty , to ensure proper education for all, to solve many of the worlds ills. Maybe we are being punished for not looking to do something good with the resources that we have.

As the world looks to solutions for the economic crisis, I’m reminded of an experience that my good friend Nick Torres had recently with John Maxwell. John Maxwell has been recognized worldwide as a renowned author, leadership trainer, consultant and adviser to many of the world’s richest and most powerful. He is the author of one of the most insightful and influential books I have ever read, the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. He recently gave a seminar in Manila which Nick attended. Nick was so blown away by the leadership wisdom shown by John Maxwell that he sought the latter out.

Nick introduced himself and proceeded to ask John questions. “How did you end up acquiring this wisdom?” The latter answered, “you don’t want to know.” Nick quickly replied, “but I do!” The latter answered again, “you really don’t want to know.” Nick again replied, “but I really do want to know.” The latter looked Nick in the eye and said softly, “The Bible.”

John Maxwell is a pastor. We all need to rediscover true Faith. We need to believe that despite everything, we still have much to be thankful to God for. We need to roll up our sleeves and find the courage to function normally and not get dragged down by all that we hear, read or see.

In Matthew 8:23 to 26, the Bible says, “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

There is an anonymous poem entitled “Believe in having Faith.”

“Doubt see the obstacles,

Faith sees the way,

Doubt sees the darkest night,

Faith sees the day,

Doubt dreads to take a step,

Faith soars on high,

Doubt questions, "who believes ?"

Faith answers, "I"

Believe in having faith.......”

God answers.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at
stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit http://www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com/