12/06/2023
It is inherent in human nature to yearn for more, to aspire for something beyond what we currently possess. We desire larger homes, seek companionship, long for change, aim for promotions, and strive for better job opportunities...the list goes on.
Yet, we often forget that our current circumstances are not permanent. We are only here for a fleeting moment, for "such a time as this." Those who are now married were once single, our parents were once children, CEOs were once casual workers, teachers were once students, and pastors were once followers. This truth applies to each one of us. We have achieved what we once wished for, but have we stopped wishing for more... for better?
It is perfectly acceptable to aspire for personal growth, to yearn for different surroundings, and to desire companionship. I am by no means advocating for mediocrity or settling for less. However, in our relentless pursuit of desires, we often fail to appreciate what we currently have. We neglect to live in the present moment. This brings to mind a famous quote: "You will regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did." Reflecting on this, I now realize its profound truth.
We fail to cherish the time we have with our parents by wishing to hurry and move on to our independent lives. We overlook the opportunities available to us in our singlehood and during our educational years by wishing for their swift conclusion.
In my short time on this earth, I have come to understand that God has everything under control. He orchestrates every aspect of our lives and presents us with a beautiful package in due time if we allow Him. There is no need for unnecessary worry.
Allow me to share a childhood memory from my village. We used to capture small insect-like creatures from the river, and when they bit our skin, our "ni***es" would swell, bringing us immense joy. It was an oddly satisfying feeling to have visible breasts. However, as I entered my senior primary school years and my breasts actually began to develop, my initial happiness turned to embarrassment. I would walk with hunched shoulders, attempting to hide their visibility. What irony! As amusing as this may sound, it serves as a metaphor for how many of us, in our longing for what we don't possess, unknowingly invite trouble.
The grass is not always greener on the other side—it is greener where it is watered. What if we could simply live in the present moment? What if we could make the most of the time we have with our parents before we eventually move away? Because whether we like it or not, we will eventually separate from them—not because we no longer wish to be with them, but because our time with them is finite. What if we could fully embrace our educational journey, enduring the challenges and giving it our best? Then we wouldn't struggle with regrets or wish that things had been different.
As a parting thought, let us embrace the present and give our best, knowing that our current circumstances are not everlasting. What we do right now shapes our future destinations, for better or worse. Obtaining what we desire does not guarantee a better outcome. Let us be grateful for who we are, what we have, and where we currently find ourselves. It could be our last moment.