By Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3).

Psychologists describe a newborn baby’s mind as a “tabula rasa,” or a blank slate. They believe that the child begins to learn through a process of nature and nurture. Through internal mechanisms, environmental experiences, and formal and informal teaching and learning processes, the child forms habits, behaviour, character, and eventually, personality. This establishes the fact that your future, destiny, and everything about you is in your hands. You, as a human being, can do greater things than even our Lord Jesus Christ has done.

For instance, Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, was told by his teachers that he was too stupid to learn anything. But he didn’t let that define him. He went on to hold over 1,093 patents in his name. Similarly, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, was a single mother living on welfare when she began writing her books. Despite rejection and poverty, she held onto hope and persisted, creating a literary phenomenon that has inspired countless readers.

First, you must realise that you are the image of God and have similar abilities. This realisation will lead you to understand that your destiny lies in your hands.

Imagine And Plan

In thinking about what you can do, you are doing what God did before the creation we saw in Genesis Chapter 1 – He planned. The irony of frustration and hopelessness in life can be seen in man’s inability to decide what he wants to become and then having a clinically laid-out plan for becoming that thing. This accounts for the reason architects first present a dummy of how a building will look after construction before actual building construction commences. It is first formed and constructed in the realm of imagination.

For example, Walt Disney’s imagination and planning led to the creation of Disneyland which has become an iconic destination for millions of people around the world. Similarly, Steve Jobs’ imagination and planning revolutionised the technology industry with the creation of Apple products.

The formation of a mental picture of your future or destiny is very important. The next step is drawing the building plan. You lay it all out in plain sight! So, to every young person here today, have you laid out your destiny like a building plan? What form do you want your future to take? Architects are wonderful people because they are good at doing this. They do not only give you a dummy picture but also show you very painstakingly the intricate parts of the actualisation process of the building till completion. That is called the building plan.

Knowledge Gives Light

The word of God tells us, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) So, by studying, knowledge begins to illuminate and dispel the darkness. Therefore, the fundamental thing everybody in this room will learn is to have the light of knowledge. That’s why the scripture says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; in all thy getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

For instance, Malala Yousafzai’s pursuit of knowledge and education led her to become a powerful advocate for girls’ education and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Similarly, Nelson Mandela’s knowledge and understanding of the law helped him fight against apartheid and become the first black president of South Africa.

Creativity, Innovation And Diversification

God showed the importance of diversification in human success when He created man. All things created can be static. However, human existence on Earth is surrounded by constant changes. So, to maintain constant relevance, God created man to diversify the economy at Eden. It, therefore, behooves us to learn from this example and begin diversification schemes for our lives, academic pursuits, and businesses. Diversification simply implies not putting your eggs in one basket. Invest some here, invest there, and there. Diversify! For example, Warren Buffett’s diversification strategy in investing in various industries and companies has made him one of the most successful investors in history. He has a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other investments that generate passive income and provide financial security.

Courage

Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. It is the willingness to take risks and face challenges head-on. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is more important than fear. You must be willing to take the first step toward your destiny, even if it scares you. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in the presence of fear. For instance, Rosa Parks’ courage to stand up against racial segregation on public transportation sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. In the same vein, the Aba women’s revolt in 1929, a historic courageous act led to policy changes by the British colonialists that engendered respect for Southeast people. Similarly, the courage of the astronauts who embarked on the Apollo 11 mission led to the first successful landing on the moon.

Persistence

Persistence is the ability to continue doing something despite the difficulty or delay experienced. It is the refusal to give up on your goals and dreams, even when faced with obstacles and setbacks. Persistence is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful. You must be willing to keep pushing forward, even when the journey gets tough. Remember, persistence is not about being perfect, but about being consistent.

For example, Thomas Edison’s persistence in inventing the light bulb led to over 1,000 failed attempts before finally succeeding. Similarly, J.K. Rowling’s persistence in writing her book led to 12 publishers rejecting her manuscript before finally getting published.

In conclusion, the reality of the void and emptiness paradigm highlights the truth in human creation ability. We are created in the image of God, with the power to shape our destiny and create the future we desire. Through imagination, planning, knowledge, diversification, courage, and persistence, we can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

●Hon. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi is the lawmaker representing Bende North Constituency, Abia State.