The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Zinyemba The Christian Youth —
IT is amazing how time quickly goes by. We only have a few weeks before the end of the year, we thank God for taking us this far.
As we round up the year, we must start to reflect on how we spent it and start to prepare for the coming one. There were times of failure and those of success.
The greatest challenge for most young people is accepting failure. Failure is actually not a bad thing in one’s life. You can learn so many lessons if you take time to reflect.
When you fail and approach the episode with the right attitude, you will learn how to do something successfully next time. You will also learn more about yourself.
Last week’s article touched on diligence and hard work and how this will get you noticed, create a good name for you and open doors. We now look at another element. Do not be led astray by what many people around you might be doing.
Some people create opportunities by bribing, lying and cheating. Others open doors for themselves by sleeping around with powerful individuals or destroying other people.
Do not be tempted by this way of life because the price you have to pay is greater than you know. Some people did regrettable things and permanently soiled their names. Some things are irreversible.
Do all you can to walk the straight and narrow road.I encourage you to read Psalm 73 for perspective. If I was to give you a million dollars today, what would you do with it?
Many people do not realise the potential they carry. If an opportunity came today, would you know what to do with it? There are opportunities all around you.
The apostle Paul said in 2Tim 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
What was the last book you read? I am not talking about your exam text book. Many people in this generation have lost the reading culture. We are lost in social media, the internet, entertainment, gossip, and normal day to day activities.
Paul told Timothy to be a studious individual, not necessarily to always have his head buried in a book but to be an observant person.
Be aware of your surroundings and the trends that are impacting on you. In 1 Thesselonians 4:11 Paul says, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”.
Empty vessels make the loudest noise. What occupies your mind most of the time? Is it boyfriends or girlfriends? Is it the latest fashion trends? Is it the latest gossip in town?
The books you read, are they adding any value to you at a personal level or are they improving you at your trade? Most of the times, we are caught unprepared and can miss lifetime opportunities. Sometimes we do not even notice them when they come simply because we are not observant enough, we have not trained ourselves to recognise the opportunities that come our way.
Scripture says Daniel, Shadreck, Meshack and Abednego were ten times wiser than everyone else. They were also observant young men who were willing to learn and always ready to apply their minds.
They were given very high offices at a young age. Joseph became prime minister of Egypt, the most powerful country in the world at that time, at only 30 years. He turned that country into a super power because God blessed and also because he was a student of life, he took time to study his environment and to prepare himself for the challenges that came ahead.
David became king of Israel at thirty, he united a broken nation and under his leadership, Israel became a regional power house. He was blessed by God and was also a very observant individual. He was a mere shepherd boy who had never gone to school, yet he was king for forty years and when he died, he was wealthy!
Esther became queen of Persia at a very tender age. Persia was the richest and most powerful kingdom of that time, it covered parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. Besides being beautiful and being blessed, if she was not ready to be observant and understand the workings of the palace and kingdoms, she would have been replaced in the blink of an eye.
Ruth became the wife of one of the richest men in Bethlehem. I can guarantee you it was not by luck, she was a widow and was a very poor foreigner in a strange land with new customs.
I encourage you to be a student of life, ever learning and open minded, willing to be observant. Those who are in high offices have a way of noticing people like that and before you know it, a new door will open for you.
Till next time, take care and God bless.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback to [email protected]
