“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ~ Arthur Ashe (Tennis Player)
When we were much younger, “When I grow up…”was a common introductory phrase that made it in everyone’s speech .
This preceeded the pronouncement of all our ambitions. This introduction was usually concluded by statements like “I want to be a lawyer, a doctor, a bank manager, a pilot, an air hostess, even President”, among all the fancy occupations that we were exposed to at the tender age.
Growing up, I have found that some people, after living for almost three decades, continue to operate in this “when-I-grow-up mentality”. It is interesting how people do not actually notice that they are already growing old. Oh yes, you would tell me Abraham was a septuagenarian before he received his calling, and I have no qualms about that. My issue is mainly with those of us who seem to be waiting for “the perfect time” to begin pursuing our dreams.
Jesus Christ, at the tender age of 12 had already taken his place behind the pulpit, interpreting deep insights from the scrolls to grey-bearded priests. Stories of young men who did not wait for that supposedly perfect “when-i-grow-up” age to make impact abound in Biblical history. Talk about Jeremiah, Timothy, Joshua, Caleb and young David (just to mention the more popular ones).
One thing that runs through the stories of these Biblical heroes is that, they invested heavily into developing themselves at a young age. They were not waiting for that perfect atmosphere “when they grew up”. To think that Jesus Christ lived for only 33 years and is widely regarded (at least, among the millions of Christians) to be the greatest man to have ever lived, I find it rather preposterous to hear people hold on to the old maxim, “Life begins at 40”.
At “forty”, Jesus was in his seventh year of “retirement from earthly duties”, enjoying his huge “Heaven Pension Benefit”(You have absolutely no idea how well the Heaven SSNIT office pays; A seat at the right hand side of the Almighty, Elders and Heavenly hosts worshipping and singing His praise non-stop, and the divine right to come back as the Lion of Judah, The King to rule the whole world!)
Let’s get back to earth! Stop waiting for that huge loan to start that business, stop waiting for that scholarship before you begin to educate yourself in your desired field, stop waiting for Mr/Mrs Right to begin to prepare yourself as a quality husband/wife material. BEGIN NOW!
I just love the way the New Living Translation of the Bible puts Ecclesiastes 11:4…“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
Sow that Seed Now, and God Himself will water!
