Take off the shades!
2010-01-05 - Richard Mtsweni
Time waits for no man but opportunity happens to us all!
It has always been a mystery to me how some people are able to accomplish in one lifetime achievements that would take others ten lifetimes to have. The preacher in Ecclesiastes teaches that the race is not given to swift or the strong but opportunity happens to them all. So whether you’re weak or strong, fast or slow, skinny and not so skinny, opportunity for greatness will knock on your door. In this New Year we need to learn to recognise those opportunities in whatever shape or manner they may arrive.
The 2010 FIFA World cup is an opportunity for not only South Africa but the entire continent of Africa to shine, Ke nako, it’s time to reveal the glory of our motherland. Newspaper reports are rife with reports from different kinds of people, some say the World cup will be a total failure some say it will be a great success and yet some say it doesn’t really matter. I am reminded of the inventor of the motor vehicle production line, Henry Ford, who once said: “whether you think you can or you cannot, you’re right!” It’s time to emancipate ourselves from the self-tied chains of mediocre thinking and embrace with open arms the possibility of a great nation standing as one.
This reminds me of the story of those twelve spies that Moses sent out to check out the land of Canaan. Ten of the twelve came back discouraged and hopeless talking about, “there’s no way we can beat these guys, they’re way too big for us! They’re giants!” yet the remaining two spies came back excited and courageous shouting, “let’s go and attack right now! We can beat these guys!”
It’s amazing to see that two people can look at the same set of circumstances at the same time but yet have two contradictory conclusions. These spies were not really reporting on the condition of the land but rather the condition of their own hearts. I find that this is the pattern that God uses in our lives. God allows giants to walk through the streets our “promised land” and I believe He waits to see whether we trust that His faithfulness is greater than any giant we may face. I have come to realize that the issue is not what I see but rather how I see. Anais Nin said: “we see things not as they are, but as we are.”
Now, I love wearing sunglasses while driving, but I have a tendency of forgetting that I still have them on even when the sun goes down. It’s always such a great revelation when I realise that I am deceived by my shades and take them off. It’s incredible how much brighter the world seems when your vision is clear. Are you walking through life wearing shades? Have you limited the power of God in your life to your own limitations and capabilities? I dare you to take a clearer look at your circumstance, see it through God’s unlimited power and ability. Take off your shades, Ke nako, it’s time, tick tock tick tock…
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