PUT A SMILE ON GOD’S FACE

See, listen and hear it when they can’t! (1^st Cor 2:9)

Frankly speaking opportunities are all over. We can’t see them; we don’t even know how to identify them. One man once said “it takes trained eyes to perceive an opportunity amidst a situation”. For us to get a handle of these vast numbers of undetected opportunities we have to think a little deeper and perceive a bit further. Today’s article is a testimony of 2 of my friends who taught me that we ought to think outside the box, if at all we have ambitions to be part of amazing and wow future leaders.

During his high school Dave was particularly amazing in his biology class. In fact, he scooped prize award for the best biology student 2 years in a row, an achievement which was unique. His passion for biology as a subject was an obsession. As his friends I had no doubt that he will end up a medical doctor, at some point he also held the same believe. However, he kept an open mind, after his high school, through continuous thinking, looking deeper and seeking professional counsel, he decided to study engineering. If I am to confess, I was a bit shocked (never told him), but encouraged him in the Lord. The following years paid dividends, as he proceeded to attain his master’s degree of reputable significance in a world class university and is currently working with a giant diamond company. It’s a given that with his open mind, he will be the source of innovation in his respective field.

The second one is a lady called Angie. I haven’t known her for a long time (as is the case with Dave) but have learnt a lot from her personality. She holds a business degree and has an amazing academic record. She is a high flyer. Upon finishing her university degree, everyone, including members of her family expected her to join the cooperate world as a business personnel, but not in her world. She shocked people, I am afraid even herself, when she took teaching and trust me, not in business or any related subject, but English and science! The question is why? As she explained, it’s about passion; her passion to share knowledge with fellow man is an obsession!

What am I getting at? We are entering a highly competitive era that emphases more on personal development and an era that puts more weight on ones character than his academic certificates. This era will see highly motivated individual taking higher post. Open minded people, who know that thousands of roads finally converges to the same city. People who are so flexible and not narrow minded. People who know that their degree might be in Marketing and end up in Education. People who know their desired destination and appreciates different paths towards the spot, and ready to explore such paths.

GREED! A MONSTER THAT KILLS SMILING

BY ABED MONTSHIWA

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."(Luke 12:15)

 

I know our society has a totally wrong perception about the term greed. When an individual works their way up and accumulates surplus he is tagged with the term. This has become so disturbing such that laziness is unintentionally nurtured amongst us. Instead of working hard we have our fingers pointing to those who have accumulated riches. If we are to make a positive impact in human development and our respective societies, we should be prepared to work very smart and with clear strategies towards specific targets.

At the same time, we should always know that the more we give, the more we get blessed! We should be on the look, to see who to bless and in what capacity. That will help us to run away from being greedy. To give is not a portion of the rich and is not a function of abundance, it’s an issue of the heart and obedience!

Three men set out to look for treasure. They left their families and headed into the wilderness where remnants of gold deposits were rumored. By the time they arrived at their destination, people had already cleared the remaining deposits. Demoralized with frustration, they decided to return back to their town. However, since the journey was so long, they decided to walk for some time, have a rest and repeat the process until they arrive. You can imagine how their journey back must have been an ugly maneuver.

They say days come in different forms and shapes, and this was such. As they approached a huge tree for rest, something excited them. It looked like a huge bag, as they got nearer, it looked like a sack, and when they finally got a handle on this package, the bag was written ‘New bank notes, $USD 3 million. Quickly they opened the bag, and behold, they were 3 million rich! Immediately they left, and along the way they felt tired and hungry and decided to have one of them run to get them some food while they wait in a secure location.

As soon as the man ran to a nearby restaurant, greed appealed to them. ‘You know if we can kill that guy, we will be 1.5 million rich’ suggested the greed- tormented one. ‘You are right! When he arrives, we will get him killed and share the package among us’. Hands were shaken to seal the deal. At that very time, the guy who went to buy some food conceived a plan from the invisible force called greed. ‘You know if you can poison those guys’ food you will get them killed and emerge 3 million rich!’, ‘and I will be the most powerful man in my town’ added our potential fortune owner. He immediately poisoned the food and set back to see how his friends will die as he gets rich.

The turn of events got even more catastrophic. Upon arrival, he was butchered by his friends beyond recognition, and they buried him to erase any possible evidence of his murder. Now, you can imagine what happened after that. You got it right! The 2 remaining man shared money equally and sat down to enjoy their meals! They died an agonizing death from food poisoning and the 3 million remained untouched. None of the men won, but greed, won! It’s a monster that kills smiling and promises the best of things. WATCH OUT!