The Right Climate

"He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17

From my school days in Michigan, I remember the saying, "April showers bring May flowers." Each year the spring rains of April begin to revitalize the soil. The May sun forces shoots to the surface, and soon we delight in the miracle of colorful blooms after a bleak winter.

Growth requires the proper climate. But the right climate is needed not just for plants to grow. People and communities also need the right climate in order to flourish.

I recently spoke at the grand opening of a magnificent convention center in my hometown of Grand Rapids. It was a typical cold winter evening, but I told the crowd that our community had built the convention center together because we were in the right climate.

I wasn't referring to the snow and gray skies outside. I was talking about our community's warm climate marked by positive attitudes, a strong work ethic, respect for others, encouragement, and willingness to work together for the greater good.

People with vision stepped forward to help the rest of the community start dreaming. Community leaders raised money. Generous donors gave millions of dollars. Thousands of people used their various skills and talents to build a convention center and create a stronger community. The contributions were large and small but all important - right down to the convention center staff that prepared and served hot dinners to 2,500 grand opening guests as another testament to our climate. The fingerprints of an entire community are on our new convention center.

And it's all because God has blessed us with the right climate. God has blessed us with a climate where generosity, sharing, caring, and pride in community all thrive. He has blessed us with schools, churches, and homes where these values are taught and with parents, pastors, teachers, employers, and community leaders who instill these values in each new generation.

We should celebrate our unique God-given talents. But of what real value are individual talents if we don't use them to work together for the good of everyone and God's glory?

I thank God for the climate in which I'm so fortunate to live. I continue to be blessed by the beauty created by people who feel God's love. They feel His love raining and shining on them. It's His love that allows us all to flourish.

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Rich DeVos is the former chairman of Gospel Communications. He is also the author of "Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life," co-founder of Amway Corp., and owner and chairman of the NBA's Orlando Magic.