The repayments of preparation

The mathematics of living a life less of disappointments: Preparation + Opportunity = Success

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour”. Matthew 25:13

The parable of ten virgins is common to a number of people. Although, we know it or use it in affairs pertaining making it to Heaven, but I would like us to consider it using our day to day perspectives. We miss out on opportunities if we are not prepared to seize them immediately as they are available for our good. It is very sad to realise that in most cases people are given opportunities to better job offers such as promotions, only to find that those opportunities go down the drain because those people who are meant for those opportunities are not prepared for them. 

I am not saying that one must prepare him or her-self for everything under the sun. Instead, my point is that everyone must know his or her purpose for living – one’s purpose has to do with what God created him or her to achieve while on earth (see Jeremiah 1:5), Jeremiah 29:11-13 reads “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. 

The premise of the latter quoted verses is that God wanted something to be accomplished on earth and you are the only person who can make it come true –  that is amazing! This is a promise to everyone by God, this then means He is willing to assist you to accomplish your purpose – if only you will seek Him through prayer. Proverbs 19:21 clearly paints the picture of purpose - King Solomon says “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails”. God is saying that a fulfilling life is only possible when one knows why God created him or her. One’s talents and gifts are another aspect that one has to know in order to grab opportunities. There are people whom God created to change the world and make a living just by exploiting their gifts and talents.

What I have observed in life is the fact that once you are prepared, opportunities come across your

path. 

So if opportunities come but you are not prepared for them, you will fail. When an opportunity arises, that is not the time for you to be preparing – you must be already ready. The only way this principle works it is by having you prepared and waiting for the opportunity.

That is where my maths formula comes in:  Preparation + Opportunity = Success. Therefore, Success is the achievement of a pre-determined worthwhile objective. 

Remember the line that reads “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” by Benjamin Franklin. This column is aimed at encouraging the 4th years students as well as those students who have not yet reach their forth level yet, but who wish to further their studies once they have reached their fourth year level of study.

 Even if you are not a student this piece if for you as well. How many job opportunities you have lost because you do not have a matric certificate, computer certificate or a driver’s license? You do not need to tell me your response, but rather you can appeal to your conscience by preparing yourself for the future opportunities – Please! Don’t allow history to repeat itself!...

I am not proud to say this, but it true that in few years to come our Bachelor of Education Degrees (B.Ed degrees) are going to lose their value. Remember, back in the day teachers who had Diplomas were considered to be highly educated people, but you know what their situation is today. Thus, the responsibility is on the 4th years to prevent history from repeating itself. To this end, they must enrol for different qualifications. The 30th of Sept 2016 is the closing date for application for postgraduate admission to study @UKZN. While, for UNISA the application for postgraduate admission: is currently on - closing on the 11th of November 2016.

It will be a very sad story for you to be relaxing without any preparation, because you will miss out on the opportunity that can help you “to be somebody, instead of nobody. [and] Leave your footprints in the sands of history and carry none of your potential to the cemetery” – Dr. Pastor. Myles Munroe.

Remain blessed and always ensure that you are in good terms with the God Trinity and the commands of the Bible, our Constitution as the Kingdom of God citizens.