As I write this, I am debating whether this is appropriate LinkedIn content. I have often been advised to refrain from speaking about controversial topics in the workplace, and by extension, LinkedIn. Thus, some may find it surprising that I am sharing my faith publicly. My rationale for sharing my faith is that I have found that many of my peers struggle with defining their next steps and lack clarity. On the contraire, through my relationship with Jesus Christ I have found that he gives grace to the soul and clarity to those who seek it. In the corporate realm, where it may be difficult to navigate the emotions, predilections and attitudes of others. It is important to remain grounded. Professionals should find something to keep them whole. For me, that is Jesus. I want to discuss a verse that has been on my mind for the past few weeks and share a personal anecdote with you. I do not write this in an attempt to incite conversion. I can only write how I feel and how this has affected me. I hope that you can find some value from it.
Over the past year, I have been thinking very deeply about the future. How will the world operate 10-50 years from now, and how can I leave a lasting impact on the world of tomorrow? As a scholar, humanitarian and businessman, these questions wake me up at night. I often find myself researching artificial intelligence, machine learning, neuroscience, bitcoin, digitization, food security, human trafficking—just to name a few. For me, this can be highly burdensome. I genuinely feel that I am on this earth to do something that impacts and benefits the lives of others. Yet, I am not sure exactly what that is. What I do know is that whatever impact I do have, it will be to raise the equity of people. This has led me to think a lot about legacy. What will my legacy be? How many people have I touched? How many people did I clothe, feed, educate and elevate this year? What would be said at my funeral? What would one say of Derny Fleurima?
In my bewilderment, I turned to the Bible and a verse stuck out to me: Proverbs 3:5-6. The verse reads:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not onto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths.”
After reading that, I felt extremely convicted. I started to realize that everything that I was thinking about, while altruistic, was about Derny Fleurima. The emphasis was always on what Derny Fleurima could contribute to the world, what Derny Fleurima would be remembered for. I never included THE higher power in my plans. That is why I did not have clarity. I was struggling to understand my purpose and what I could contribute to the world, but what I failed to see was that everything could have been revealed to me, if I had consulted HIM first. At that moment, I began to truly trust in HIM with all my heart, and the question changed. Instead of “What will I do to leave an impact?” it became “What can I do that will let others see HIM through me?” I came to the realization that it is not and has never been about me. It is about HIM. That is the framework through which I have been approaching every major decision in my life. In all my ways, I acknowledge him and he has directed my path. Even when the path is clouded, I do not fear anything because I know he is guiding me along the way.
I do want to change the world. I do want to serve others and help people live better lives. I do want to leave a legacy and be remembered positively. Who doesn’t’? But, in all of that, in all that I do, in every success that I attain, in every decision I make, in every service that I do, I want people to see that it is not Derny Fleurima but Jesus Christ who is working through Derny Fleurima. Knowing that everything is not on my shoulders relieves my burdens, eliminates my fears, keeps me grounded and gives me clarity.
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Derny Fleurima 