A Hidden Wisdom: I Wish I Knew
Proverbs 13
KJV
12+ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
When we were young we were taught to set aside some of the money we took to school. , little as it was yet we were “forced” to comply. Some did, others failed. I was one of those who failed to comply!
This was the era the Ayigbe carpenters ( Efo) introduced to the Ghanaian market the small wooden savings boxes. Yes, (Ayigbe Carpenters) to them belong the patent no one can deny that!
Then came adulthood, and we had financial experts demonstrating to us financial plans that can make us financially sound and stable if we apply them. Many did, others failed.
The challenge of pursuing present gratification as against deferral has worried every youth, to this day it is still the number one hurdle to overcome. Interestingly, the Bible recommended long ago the deferral approach as the way to future joy and happiness.
Read it again
Proverbs 13:12
NIV
[12] Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Yes, gratification ( hope) deferred surely makes the heart sick, your friends are enjoying and you’ll love to do the same but choose not to because you want to invest for tomorrow!
It is not how you start but how you end. You can have a good start but end up miserably. You can have a slow start but end up a winner. What passage of scripture does this bring to mind?
Ecclesiastes 9
KJV
11+ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Yes, exactly!
I must admit as a youth the thought of postponing gratification was a great challenge! What if “ tomorrow “ never comes to meet you ? This is the question that keeps popping up! When is the future?
We hear it said every day, but when is it?
Beloved, every day was once a future. Today was referred to yesterday as a future just as tomorrow is called a future today. Every day therefore is a future come real so do not think of a future as if it were a distant time.
Since man must live as is usually said what then must we do with regards to postponing today’s enjoyment to tomorrow? Must it be all or some? Here is a recommendation.
“ All work and no play made Oko an anti-social moron!
There is a principle called “selective deferment”, by which is meant there are things that can and must of necessity be deferred whereas others can be enjoyed. What these are depends on your choices and goals in life!
For example, you can defer early “marriage” to pursue the academic/training/apprenticeship etc, the same applies to entertainment here moderation is the word.
Make friends, associate with groups etc. but “abhor” certain groupings so you do not come into conflict with the law Always remember what scripture said;
Proverbs 1:10-11,13-15
NIV
[10] My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. [11] If they say, “Come along with us; let's lie in wait for innocent blood, let's ambush some harmless soul;
[13] we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; [14] cast lots with us; we will all share the loot ”--- [15] my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
So what is all this about? Defer ( postpone) the present for the future Deny yourself the present to enjoy the future. Yes, it will hurt, but that is the only way. to a better future. Use the present to lay a strong foundation for tomorrow
However you define the future, it will surely come. Remember today was yesterday‘s future.
A complex thought to share!