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NewsDay

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Strive for value

Columnists
Globalisation spurred by technology which includes the Internet has opened the eyes of many to compete on the international stage. Everyone wants to put her/his name on the global map. People want to showcase their works to the world.

Globalisation spurred by technology which includes the Internet has opened the eyes of many to compete on the international stage. Everyone wants to put her/his name on the global map. People want to showcase their works to the world.

The mature, immature and the premature are competing for recognition and acceptance. The budding are closing in with poise promising to revolutionise the landscape with state-of-the-art options. The legends are working pertinaciously to maintain pole position. The upstarts are weighing in, promising smarter and efficient choices. Sometimes it becomes a dog eat dog scenario and society becomes devoid of values. Success is being hunted mercilessly.

While no stone is left unturned in the quest for success, sometimes values are not observed. Corners are cut and honesty and integrity go begging. Truthfulness, faithfulness and straightforwardness are not pursued as much as results are sought. In his wisdom Albert Einstein taught, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” If one possesses values it will follow that success will follow them. Amassing resources, wealth and riches at the expense of seeking value leads to chaos and failure. It’s value that permeates into the fabric of society and to the benefit of the community. Money and resources without values cannot be imparted to generations coming. If values are pursued, then a foundation of success is laid out for those coming after us.

Success is basically measured by observable achievements. Value is cut out of the integrity of personal life. Success and values are not enemies. They can exist simultaneously in the one who is successful as a result of their commitment to principle. Success becomes the outcome of values rather than its own singular objective. Therefore we have principled successful people while we also have successful people devoid of value. Those seeking after value are leading a sum total of life that will be defined as successful. One day their names will be engraved in the hall of fame for pursuing their destiny with integrity. Following after value will guide you and light your way. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Integrity is compass to success.

Everyone sees her/himself as the real deal, the in-thing. In the minds of some no one else exists except themselves. Wisdom teaches that there’s no smaller packaging than a man/woman all wrapped up in himself/herself. In the market place, Christian and religious circles as well as political fray, there’s a fight to be at the top. Though its understandable to find stiff competition in other fields of human endeavour, it’s regrettable to find the same in the Christian world. In the church, we complement each other not compete against others. Scripture states in Romans 12:5 that, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Self glorification reduces and belittles self and contradicts the head of the church, Jesus Christ, to whom all glory belongs.

Evil and destructive practices are rampant just for the sake of being seen at the top. Regard for human sanctity is ignored. Flamboyance and pomposity are strove for at the expense of humanhood. People are doing unfathomable things in order to be regarded as successful. Sister is betraying sister and brother betraying brother to amass wealth. Some are witchery climbing on the back of others and stepping on the shoulders of others to be seen as successful by society. There’s no success without values. True success doesn’t hurt society, but pours out benefits to it. It’s not greedy, neither is it corrupt. Let your success be covered in love, truth, honesty, integrity, purity, peace and all adorable virtue.

The elders advise that we should work for a cause, not applause. If we fix our eyes on divine purpose, we won’t be so much immersed in human applause and celebration. We should live to express, not to impress. Entering the stage of life with pomp and fanfare doesn’t mean we have meaningfully contributed to the wellbeing and advancement of humanity. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt then contribute meaningfully. Men and women of value are rare. What you present to the world has to be sound and sustainable. Let not your success be wind, but let it be weighty carrying real value not just flavour that vanishes like dew. A life of value is breeding ground for success. Don’t flatter to deceive, you carry destiny;you carry value.

You are going somewhere.

 All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible

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