Pursuit, perseverance and providence

BY DANIEL COLE

The litmus test for every life pursuit is the ability to persevere, to be patient to see the dream come to fruition. Your ability to stay dogged even when the outcomes are unpredictable. I love the sayings of Earl Wilson, “Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.” Today, we live in a quick-fix society. We get frustrated if we have to wait more than two minutes for almost everything. We want instant solutions for every problem; we hate process and protocols. We want it, and we want it now. But the reality is, nothing of significant worth happens overnight. Champions are only celebrated in the ring; the “real fight” is always behind the scene. The preparation and the effort that goes into what makes them champions. You need to be patient, you need to persevere, and you need to be persistent.

In your stride for excellence, stay focused and be persistent. Nothing of significant worth happens overnight. God won’t give you a blessing that your character won’t sustain. Give your best to every waking hour of life, and let God do the rest. Just as a farmer can’t control the rain and sunshine, sometimes, all we can do is plant our seeds, water them, and let providence takes over.

The story of the Chinese bamboo tree teaches us critical lessons about life, perseverance, patience, faith, and growth. In the first four years, the tree never shows any signs of growth, but in the fifth year, just within a period of six weeks, it grows as tall as 80 feet. The question is; does the Chinese Bamboo Tree really grow 80 feet in six weeks? Did the Chinese Bamboo Tree lie dormant for four years only to grow exponentially in the fifth? Or, was the little tree growing underground, developing a root system strong enough to support its potential for outward growth in the fifth year and beyond? The answer is, of course, obvious. Had the tree not developed a strong unseen foundation it could not have sustained its life as it grew. The same principle is true for us as humans. People, who patiently work towards worthwhile dreams and goals, building strong character while overcoming adversity and challenges, grow the strong internal foundation to handle success.

Can we stay focused and continue to believe in what we are doing even when we don’t see immediate results? In a culture driven by instant gratification – this is our biggest challenge. The change or progress we are working towards may be slow, even invisible at times, but suddenly, as in the case of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, with persistence and continual effort, you will get the result.

Without a solid foundation, nothing you build will stand the test of time. Focus on building character before pursuing success. Mushrooms grow overnight. Hence, they wither with intense wind. God is more concerned about the foundation on which your success or progress is built, not the success itself. Don’t jump the gun. Be patient, persevere, have faith, and stay focused. Study when you need to, play when you need to, pray when you need to, and take risks when you need to. “The price we don’t pay today, will be paid tomorrow with interest.” John Maxwell has rightly said, “The only hope for changing our lives is to change something we do daily. In life, we can either play now and pay later, or pay now and play later. Either way, we have to pay.”

Don’t take life too seriously, but don’t take it casual either. Don’t compare yourself to anyone. There are certain answers to life’s questions that elude man. Give room for divine providence. You won’t always have control over every outcome of your life; don’t try to. When life doesn’t make sense, turn to God, and when all things fall into place, don’t forget your maker.