An Opportunity, Not Security
PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND
August 28, 2024
AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT SECURITY
Friday, August 19th, the Chicago Cubs fired Jim Henry. He had been with the organization for 17 years, serving the last 9 as the general manager. In the press conference announcing the firing Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts thanked Henry for his service which included three division titles but went on to say “the culture of accountability” within the organization indicated that it was time for the Cubs to go a different direction.
At the press conference Henry thank the Cubs for allowing him the chance, saying that all one can expect from a baseball organization is an opportunity not security. Henry noted, “It’s professional baseball. … If you don’t win enough games over a couple of years, you can’t fight change. I will leave here with nothing but gratefulness for being part of this organization for 17 years. Not many people get a chance to do that.”
Professional sports offer great opportunity but very little security. An athlete is just one injury away from seeing his or her career come to an end. Management is always a few bad decisions or a couple of losing season away from being let go. One can go from the top to the bottom very quickly.
Diane and I had visited the ruins of the ancient city of Jericho, had had lunch, being offered a ride on a camel, and were now back on the bus for the next leg of our tour of the Holy Lands. Our tour guide said that there was a man outside who would like to have the opportunity to see if anyone on the bus might like to buy his wares. He asked if we would give permission for him to have a chance to make a sale.
The business environment in Jerusalem is much different from what it is here in Plymouth. Most prices are negotiable. Everyone seems to have one or more schemes to make a dollar. All everyone asks is the opportunity to make their pitch. Whether or not one buys is left in the hands of God. Everything happens according to His will.
(This article was originally published August 28, 2011. Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)