Life taught, “You must do a lot to earn a lot”
And loads we have done without much:
Hard work is noble but riches not often the fruit.
Efforts make for impressions but yields differ
Exertions profit the body but not always the pocket
And not always the soul. Busyness and diligence
Are not the same. Activities can turn an enemy
That keeps us amused, overwhelmed, satisfied by shallow
Lest we dare deeper. Unable to pause, ignorance ferries
Us in sameness, wandering and wondering why change
Evades us. Those who’ve learned to pause, know:
Change isn’t rare! It’s everywhere. It’s in every day.
Change shows its face to those prepared to give
What it demands, stays with those who have
What it takes to spark and keep it going and glowing.
No enemy out there is keeping us from change. Pause
Look, the enemy is within: change starts within
No one, nowhere can change what you won’t.
Change awaits those ready to ignite and keep it burning.
Change happens when you learn what you didn’t know
That you didn’t know so you can do what you ought.
Food for Thought: The distractions of everyday are countless and like opportunities, are often not easily recognized. It is strange that the good often appears as not so good and the bad so appealing we find it irresistible. Yet, it is in being able to take the time that is required, to observe each and determine appropriate responses that revelations happen. The pressure is constantly on, to hurry through every day and get as much as possible done. Yet, success is not in getting so much done. Success is registered when we identify the right thing and know the right time to get it done in the best way possible- therein lies change. Not through what we don’t and can’t have but in the dispensation of what comes to us using what is already in our hands. To defeat Goliath, David didn’t need what he didn’t already have and wasn’t familiar with. Same applies to us. We often think we need some far off resources and help but truth is that within and around us, in our hands, are the very things we need to defeat the Goliaths roaring in our circumstances. Ignorance, haste, pressure and desire to impress, attempt to paint opportunities as obstacles and make change elusive. Yet, when we learn to take a break, to pause for long enough to look beyond the obvious, to take the same ordinariness that every day throws at us; discerning, directed, marrying our best to what matters most, purpose feeds the events that unveil changes. As we give our best to even the worst that comes our ways, everyday births changes and every step is a little success that could have been so easily missed. Success is not that big event, it is the cumulative result of those seemingly insignificant changes we make to everyday events.
Scripture: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 10.
Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me to look with eyes of discernment, to see what matters most and give it my best knowing that change is possible to those who know and do what they ought, when they ought, how best they can, amen.