the secret behind dubai's success

2007 nov 19
the secret behind dubai’s progress

it is public knowledge here in dubai that the rulers know the oil and gas, which are the main sources of revenue for the city and the country, will not last forever. thus, the aggressive development of diverse kinds of businesses – from tourism to free zone to real estate to transportation to investment in businesses around the world. in the future when their natural resources -- which are in high demand now -- are gone, they would have established enough self-sustaining businesses to not only survive but live in the same kind of luxury they now enjoy. one manager told me, “dubai wants to be like new york in 10 years’ time!” that is how aggressive and determined the leaders and the locals of this city are. they like to make sure the money they are now getting from oil and gas are properly invested instead of wasted in a mere life of luxury. already, the tallest building in the world is being constructed here.

as christians, we know that our biological life here on earth will not last forever. while we all naturally need material resources to sustain our physical life here on earth, how much time, talent, and treasure are we investing for the building of the kingdom of god on earth and for our life hereafter? when our physical strength, our professionally trained minds, and our power and influence would have waned, what will we have to live on that will sustain us? what preparations are we doing for our inevitable flight for our final homecoming to the father’s house? how aggressive and determined are we in building god’s kingdom here on earth? what sacrifices are we wiling to make at the present time for the sake of the future?

st. paul reminds us to fix our eyes on the goal, like athletes craving for the crown of life. our former missiology professor, fr. bayani velenzuela told us that one of the secrets behind st. paul’s zeal and success as a missionary was the thought that the end of the world was near and there was no time to lose. as we end the liturgical year on sunday, feast of christ the king, allow our ruler to challenge us to waste no time to build his kingdom here on earth – as aggressively as the people of dubai. take the risk: invest in the kingdom! you will surely get a return on your investment … a hundredfold!

vision-mission: ultimate: ss

re: "error of the wicked" (wis 2:21-24)
v23 "for god created us for incorruption and made us in the image of his own eternity."