That’s Quality That Is

I’m still on the business about the book that I’m reading and the values it brings out in terms of a very important theme in me life.  I’ll let you know what that’s all about real soon.

In line with it though, I was reading something in it that resonated a great deal with me regarding qualities of a good man.  I’m guilty of comparing myself with others from time to time but on a good day at a good day I realise there’s no point in doing that.  The problem with competition is that you don’t really overcome your greatest opponent which is yourself.  So taken up with other obstacles and perceived opponents that you don’t fully realise what you’re capable of, because there’s more to life than the external opponents.

In any case, what I read about this individual began believing their own publicity and stopped focussing on the things that had helped him achieve success in the first place.  When you take your eyes off the habitual routines you’ve undergone to gain any level of success at whatever level you can be assured that it won’t be long before you’re likely to come a cropper.  Indeed as the individual realised that it’s one thing to make an impact, it’s another thing to keep that up in the mid to long term.

This neatly brings me to some key words and terms that are an enormous help in being any kind of a success as a man which I continue to learn the easy … and the hard way.

Sustainability: I’ve witnessed and been involved in a number of projects that have not last the course of time.  This is not always a bad thing.  I am firm believer in seasons and sometimes it’s time for something to end because it’s time has come to an end.  It’s a hallmark of wisdom to be able to test the times and respond this way rather than drag something beyond it’s sell-by date.  The only things that are eternal are the things of God’s innate character.

Yet it’s one thing to end in the proper way having completed your stint, it’s another thing to see an idea started with excitement, heat, energy and passion and then after a while as the initial buzz wears off the project/activity fizzles out like flat coke.

I used to attribute this issue to a black thing.  It was something always linked to thing done by black people and the reason why a number of initiatives that should have helped black people came unstuck, because no effort was invested in making that thing sustainable.  Thankfully for my cultural/racial/ethnic concerns, it transpired that it’s a human issue.  People start up things and don’t think it through and it ends up stillborn in some cases, or perishing in its infancy having never seen the age of maturity.

This isn’t just about projects or initiatives, this is as much about people and relationships.  I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn to suggest that perhaps a number of disgruntled and dysfunctional relationships are down to no effort put into finding what makes for a lasting, effective relationship.  The times I read about relationships coming to an end because both parties have irreconcilable differences, or people realised they were ‘not made for each other’ sometimes smacks of a cheap way out of the hard work of finding the treasure of fruitful, productive and sustainable lives.  That’s hardly a critique from the high and mighty, it’s actually a sad observation from a mug who has been on the giving and receiving end of such calamities.

Yet that’s why we have a book like Proverbs.  That’s why we have a life like the one of Jesus Christ.  That’s why we have a collection of life stories in scripture and in history.  That’s why we have community.  These are the available tools we have to learn about what it is to make someone and something sustainable.  It’s not impossible and when you’re in the habit it’s something that can become embedded and empowered by God’s spirit to be alive and dynamic.

And yet there’s much more to explore …

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd