You might think I'm late with these predictions.
After all, most everyone who had any interest in making such prognostications has already posted theirs.
But I'm not late.
To paraphrase Gandalf, the wise wizard from the Lord of the Rings stories, “A prophet is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”
Here are 7 predictions for 2012 from your ol' Uncle Ray.
- Faith will play a more pronounced role in the Presidential election. Sure, it's always an issue. But in the past it has, more or less, been tangential. This time, with the mix including President Obama, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney, I see this becoming a forefront discussion. Is America ready for a Mormon president? And if you think a President's faith doesn't inform his politics, you're a wee bit daft.
- The economy will not collapse nor resurrect – it will change, though. Chicken Little, settle down. Pollyanna, you might be disappointed. It is a new world order, just not the one many were expecting. It's a new game, with new rules, and some new players at the international table (hint: can you speak Chinese?)
- More people will see their answer to money woes lies in starting a business. We need entrepreneurs – not merely technicians with independent shops. Technicians merely siphon off pre-existant streams of wealth. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, actually create wealth. Many of these entrepreneurs will come from the ranks of the church – as more believers realize it is time for the church to stop simply having a message, and to start being a message. Spirit-filled entrepreneurs will demonstrate what it looks like to have God's favor on our lives — including our businesses.
- The Google game will be harder to play on all fronts. I wrote this before Google changed their search fundamentally with the “Your World” update. Would that I had published it a day or two earlier!
- China. See prediction #2.
- Being debt-free will become the new American status symbol. Turns out the Book of Proverbs is right: the borrower is the slave of the lender.
- “Internet Marketing” (ie, marketers who sell marketing advice to marketers who sell marketing advice) will be harder… but “information marketing” (selling your knowledge and expertise) will still be insanely profitable.
So – what to do with these predictions? They are of little value if not joined with action. Within each is a kernel of encouragement. A seed of hope, possibility, and potential opportunity.
The diligent will find and seize upon these possibilities – and the many others not mentioned here.
I do acknowledge reality, by the way.
Is it tough these days? Yes, in some ways.
Is fear running rampant on the Earth? Yep.
Many wish these times had not come upon us. Perhaps you, too, wish our present times were different.
To quote Gandalf …
“So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world… besides the will of evil. And that is an encouraging thought.”
Indeed.