Progressive Actions –Never Relent!
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”~ Paul
In an inter-house sports competition many years ago in one of the public schools in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, a legendary athlete who was nicknamed ‘Nigerian Usain Bolt’, made a blunder that ruined his career in that school until the day he graduated from the school.
The school compound was filled to capacity on that fateful day, as parents, sport officials, passersby and invited guests were all on the ground to grace the occasion.
Then Nosa (Usain Bolt of Nigeria) showed what he was made of. In the senior boys hundred metres race, he made it to the finish line while the second person was still 30 metres away. The same thing happened in the two hundred metres race. He also led his team to clinch victory in the 4×4 relay.
As he stepped up for the last time for the four hundred metres race, everyone was chanting his praises, even the supporters of the opposing houses. Like lightning, he was off the radar immediately after they blew the whistle.
With the growing distance between him and his close competitor, the crowd roared his name, chanting on top of their voices. Almost at the finish line, he looked at the cheerleaders of his house and raised up both hands to acknowledge them. At that split second of losing focus, he missed his step and fell.
He landed with his left shoulder to the ground and could not lift himself up. He spoilt his unbroken record with that singular incident. This dislocation and the trauma that followed as a result of the fall brought an abrupt end to his promising athletic career.
One of the silent killers to big dreams is complacency that comes after a little victory. This was what Apostle Paul was vehemently warning the Philippians Church in the quote above.
With his life as a case study, he said he put aside distractions that can come from his past successes and victories, and keep pushing for the grand prize.
Most people are like the young Nosa. Once things start to take shape a bit, you get carried away and start to bask around as if you have arrived. You reduce your effort, your commitment, your consistency, and before you say, Jack, you see yourself tumbling down like young Nosa.
Never relent in your pursuit of greatness, no matter how much progress you have made towards the goal, maintain your focus.
Beware of a sudden crash!
Idede Oseyande
(c)2022
