THE PROCESS REVEALS THE VALUE
REV. GBEMINIYI EBODA
Ask the majority of men and women who have done great exploits to what they owe strength, depth of character and diversity of experience that have enriched their lives. They will most likely tell you that these are the fruits of their struggles. They will tell you they acquired their finest discipline and their best character drill in an effort to escape from an uncongenial environment; to break the bonds which enslaved them; to get an education; to escape from poverty; and to carry out some cherished plan, whatever it was. They were tempted to give up and quit trying, but rather, they persisted, continuing to water and fertilize their dreams.
The way to succeed is to persist to a thorough finish in whatever one undertakes. The art of holding on – sticking with, hanging on, never giving up, no matter how great the discouragement or dark the outlook – is an indispensable quality of success. This is because there is a great link between your life’s challenges and opportunities for the success you want.
A philosopher once commented that an eagle’s only obstacle to flying at greater speed and ease is the air. Yet, if the air was withdrawn, and the proud bird was to fly in a vacuum, it would fall instantly to the ground. The very element that offers resistance to flying is at the same time, the condition for flight.
Man will always require self-effort to develop. If there were no obstacles to overcome, there would be no progress. The civilisation of today, from education, infrastructure, urban development, to transportation, energy and so on has been the product of man’s efforts to improve on the quality of life, to overcome old, cumbersome ways of doing things.
When circumstances are against you, you must be able to set the sail of your soul and use the adverse winds to your advantage. The secret of using pain, suffering and frustration is in many ways life’s greatest secret. When you have learnt that, you are unbeatable and unbreakable.
Diamond could never reveal its brilliance and beauty, but for the friction of the stones which disclose its hidden wealth. That is what makes the difference between coal (graphite) and diamond. It will also differentiate you from mediocrity. Coal underwent the pressure up to a point and then gave up on the journey of transformation. It thus ended up as ‘coal’. Diamond however went the full swing, withstanding severe temperature increases, and then, it arrived! The difference in their worth is quite obvious. If you go through the full length of life’s pressure, your worth will no doubt be enviable…
