How do we prepare the future that is to come from where we are successfully?
The Lord said to Samuel ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’
1 Samuel 16 -1 NIV
On 31 October 2004, taking advantage of certain ancient feudal powers that were due to be abolished the following month, the town of Prestonpans in Scotland granted official pardons to eighty-one people – and their cats – who were executed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for practising witchcraft.
Like the Flowing River Paulo Coelho
My child was born in China, at the height of my young womanhood. I had always wanted children, and I remember so well my boundless joy when the Chinese nurse held my baby up for me to see for the first time. Her features were clear; her eyes, it seemed to me, wise and calm. I said to the nurse, “Doesn’t she look very wise for her age?” She was then less than an hour old. “She does indeed,” the nurse declared. “And she is beautiful, too. There is a special purpose for this child.”
The child who never grew THE BEDSIDE BOOK OF THE ART OF LIVING
Whether you choose to or not, one thing is inevitable. We all die, and, the perspective that we call identity is left behind as a reference not only for those who knew us, but, also those who shall come after us. A certainty in this matter is that we shall (unless catastrophic event occur) always leave something behind for those who shall come after us. Regardless of it being material inheritance, theoretical perspectives or spiritual practices deep inside us we are all searching for a vessel to carry forward the valuable lessons that enable us to continuously grow in this life.
In the bible (my favourite book), there are 3 instances of succession that changed the lives of people who are still affected by it, forever.
First, David was catering to his flock when he was called by Samual to be anointed as the future King. His anointing was based on the purpose bestowed upon him, a vision bigger than he who is receiving it, whilst, accounting for the requirements of that which is larger than they are.
Although he was a youth, viewed as too inexperienced and unappealing by most, his succession to the throne was not chosen by him and his rise to the acceptance came not from his anointing, rather it came from his constant service to GOD, his people and his crafts which were immortalised in the stories and poems we still refer to today.
Saul however died by his own sword after he failed himself and with that action, his closest people followed the same fate.
Samual was blessed to be the prophet whom had more power than the King’s, but, he was the last of the Judges and he died without a successor who came from his bloodline as they were deemed unfit to carry on his legacy.
Second, Elijah was a prophet respected by many and had a large following whom considered him a master. Furthermore, he was so highly valued that GOD took him as he was with his successor Elisha. The power of Elijah was such that his death sent shockwaves leading to a search party being sent to ensure he was truly gone.
What followed after is that which is the greatness behind his successful transition.
Elisha Elija’s successor was mentored closely and managed to carry fourth his masters work through various reigns of kings until his death. Not only did he do so with the principles that were given to him, he also had created an internal capacity to constantly grow towards his mission even when his vision and passion were being constantly challenged.
Let us not forget he did not work for himself. He was working for the glory of GOD, a vision that created a mission larger than him hence building a passion that constantly gave him the strength to continuously striving towards the impossible.
Even after his death, his bones were powerful enough as stated to bring life to a person who was dead.
Third, Jesus was a living paradox like no other. Most tend to forget that the miracle he performed of bringing someone to life meant that he could also take the very same life away. Whether you agree or not, the fact that time itself is base on his life, is a testament of the magnitude of how much change came through his presence. The shift or succession of perspective brought fourth by him brought a change in how people live their lives with the effects still being faced and debated today as passion.
The mission of Jesus left a stamp on history that lives on today through the continuation and creation of the churches which use his message as a reference. This speaks volumes of the power his life carried and in turn it created a succession of people who continue giving life to that which he held dearest.
Until his death.
Vision Mission and Passion in Succession.
The world of today is one build upon knowledge and the efficient transfer of information. Regardless of the age or profession of an individual what we know determines the path that we can take in this life. As we become more dependant on trade as a source of economic empowerment more and more organisations are being born to carry the hopes and dreams of people who collectively work together.
Whether it is religious, corporate, government or families, the toughest road to manoeuvre is how are we going to ensure that which we live for lives on.
The day has the night which balances the suns constant hug of mother earths body with the stars as distant witnesses. Rivers have got the oceans that give them a place to go and grow continuing the circle of life that started as a spring. The lava in the earth has go the mountains that were born and continue living waiting for the next wave of life that shall push them forward.
A vision creates a mission that builds a passion that when handled properly can ensure the birth, growth and continuous development of something. Anyone can come up with the anything, very few can ensure that it stands the tests of life.
Countless people wake up and do not know what they aim to do and ultimately fall into the paths of those who do where they end living their lives. This turns them into the cogs of machines that drain them and lead them towards the search of pleasure outside their lives killing them before they are even living.
We were all made with the capacities to grow hence, create. Through this we can achieve the seemingly impossible and with hope and courage, leave a mark that shall guide the wandering travellers on lifes road signposts that shall guide them. Even our spirits require something to look forward to that depends on something we have built that shall ensure we live forward with all the lessons we need guiding us towards our own personal successes and ensure we do not commit acts that shall condemn our growth as the people from Prestonpans Scotland.
A mission is the road.
A vision is the vehicle.
Passion is the fuel.
Succession is what shall ensure that even when the road is long the vehicle is worn out and the fuel tank is empty, we can continue going forward.
Whether professionally or personally never forget that we all need succession plans that shall ensure the best of our selves is carried forward and the worst of our selves are left to time as a reminder of why we can never go back to those instances.
Just as the moon and stars each have a gravitational force linking to our Mother Earth, so to do the relationships through the people and things that come across our lives have with our actions. In order for us to keep moving forward we MUST ensure that there is preparation for that which is to come.
Every day, in every way.
Rise with vision.
Rise in mission.
Rise through passion.
Rise for success
Olga Shanshasen
DROPS OF DEPTH 