Secrets of Greatness: Soaring from Survival to Success

By Dr. Barrington O. Burrell

In Secrets of Greatness, Dr Burrell provides us with a route map to success of the very highest order, consistent with the greatest model of success known to us, Jesus Christ.

Based upon an intimate study of the Old and New Testaments, and a lifetime’s work as a pastor, and drawing together such disparate threads as psychology, biology, history and motivational dynamics, Dr Burrell gives his readers a meticulous and definitive explanation of the essence of greatness and how it is within the capability of each and every one of us to achieve more than we ever thought possible.

A thorough and passionate exploration of what it means to be great, using examples of great men and women through the ages, Secrets of Greatness decries the notion that true success lies in power, money and status, and illustrates instead that the pinnacle of human achievement is attainable only through the transformative and healing power of our relationship with God.

In each chapter and section, the author shines a light on a different aspect of the process of becoming what we are destined to be in the Creator’s great plan for us, and illuminates the spaces through which we all must travel on our journey to greatness.

Dr Burrell explores his subject with the keen mind of a scholar, the compassion of a man of God and the tenacity of a warrior, and has written a book which is as uplifting as it is useful. It is a book which can only fill us with hope for the future.

Secrets of Greatness is a corrective for our secular age – a spiritual book in materialistic times - and a tonic for all those who thirst for a different measure of success than is commonly presented in our media.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499086126

Dr. Barrington O. Burrell

Dr. Barrington O. Burrell has been a senior pastor of the New Testament Church of God in the United Kingdom for over forty-four years. He is a graduate from the Ebenezer Bible Institute in Switzerland, where he studied developmental psychology and theology. He has a Master of Theology degree from Canada Christian College & School of Graduate Theological Studies; and a Ph.D degree from Ashley University in California USA. He is an author, Bible teacher, counsellor, and international motivational and inspirational speaker: reaching people, changing lives, and advancing the Kingdom of God! He is married to the beautiful Maxine, his faithful companion and a tremendous asset to the ministry. They are blessed with a son and a daughter, our four gorgeous grandchildren, two grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great granddaughter.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Barrington O. Burrell.

Library of Congress Control Number:                    2014909217

ISBN:                  Hardcover                           978-1-4990-8613-3

                            Softcover                             978-1-4990-8611-9

                            eBook                                  978-1-4990-8612-6

First published in Great Britain in 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage, except for brief quotations, without written permission from the author.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web address or link contained in this book may have changed since publication, and may no longer be valid.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures quoted are from the AUTHORISED (KING JAMES) VERSION of the Holy Bible, the text of which is the property of the Crown in perpetuity.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from THE LIVING BIBLE, copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®, of the Holy Bible, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any emphasis within Scripture quotations is the author’s own. This book was printed in the United States of America.

Rev. date: 06/13/2014

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One: The High Price of Greatness

What does it cost to be great?

Characteristics of a Successful Person

Counting the Cost of Greatness

The Inescapable Cost of Change

Preparing for Change

A vision is different from an illusion

13 Steps to Reach your Goal

Practical and Prudent Counsel

Giving and Investing (v. 1)

Diversify your investments (v. 2)

Conditions can bring consequences (v. 3)

Do not let imperfect circumstances hinder your activities

Be consistent with your investment (v. 6)

Chapter Two: Know Who You Are and Whose You Are

Who are You?

Know who you are and where you are

You cannot walk in what you do not know

Discover and Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Reflect on your past, but don’t dwell in it

Your future can be greater than your past

Why are You Here?

Pain: A Blessing or a Curse?

Your purpose is ordained by God

The Potential of a Seed-life

Chapter Three: Reset Your Mindset

A change of mind must precede a change of position

Character and conduct have their roots in the mind

Are Mind and Brain One and the Same?

What is The Brain?

What is The Mind?

The Functions of the Mind

Understanding the Imagination

Imagination: positive or negative?

The Subconscious Mind

You are controlled by your mind

Conquest and Victory

The Victory is Your Inheritance

Watch Your Thoughts

Jesus Had a Positive Mindset

Avoid Non-integrated Thinking

Cultivate Integrated Thinking

Your Mind is Like a Sponge

Nurture Your Mind With Great Thoughts

Every success starts with a choice

The mind is the devil’s battle-field

Winners do not focus on problems, but on possibilities.

Examples of failure and success

Maintain Your Focus

Chapter Four: The Power of Words

Man alone has the natural capacity to use words

Words can shape your future and determine your destiny

The Word of Faith

Time was created for mankind

Have the God kind of faith

Man is special to God

Jesus is the personification of faith

Faith sees the unseen

Watch Your Language

Activate and verbalise your thoughts

Your mouth expresses your personality

Mouth and Brain in Paradox

How to speak the Word of God and get results

Chapter Five: Practice Makes Perfect

The Practice of Bible Reading

Tips For Bible Study

The Practice of Prayer

What is prayer?

Learn How to Pray

The Threefold Pattern For Prayer

The Precondition of Prayer

Prayer Accesses Divine Resources

The Practice of Praise

What is Praise?

Praise and Thanksgiving

The Sacrifice of Praise

Praise, Songs, and Music

Praise, a Dangerous Weapon

The Practice of Worship

The Practice of Giving

Blessed to be a blessing

Giving is sowing and reaping

Chapter Six: Objectives For Living

Watch Your Character

Man’s Character – God’s Image

Watch Your Attitude

A great lifestyle starts with a great attitude

For a child of God nothing happens by chance

What to do when things go wrong?

How is your attitude towards God?

Watch Your Motives

Watch Your Habits

Changing for the Good

Change your habits – change your life

Breaking bad habits is a big challenge

Watch Your Health

Regular medical check-ups are recommended

Many sicknesses and diseases are self-inflicted

Is physical health an option or obligation?

Watch Your Relationships

A healthy relationship is a partnership without ownership

Evaluate your relationships

Avoid negative and toxic people

Love Yourself and Create A Positive Self-image

A healthy self-image and self-esteem are important

See yourself as God sees you

Chapter Seven: Live Out Your Passion

There is power in passion

Passion connects purpose to destiny

Passion Precedes Commitment

Love what you do and do it with love

Believe in yourself and what you have to offer others

Dream big, and stay broadminded

Avoid being influenced by passion killers

Maintain your passion through self-motivation

Passion is Love

Passion is hunger and thirst

Be Consistent

Chapter Eight: Persevere To The End

Watch your life closely, be vigilant

Watch closely what you believe

Persevered and Won

The Apostle Paul (AD5-66)

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Frances Jane Crosby (1820-1915)

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

Colonel Harland David Sanders (1890-1980)

Wilma Glodean Rudolph (1940-1994)

Ray Charles Robinson (1930-2004)

Oprah Gail Winfrey (1954-Present)

Greatness is an Innate Ability Within Every Person

References

Bibliography

Other Books by Dr. Barrington O. Burrell

DEDICATION

T o all the great men and women from whose wisdom I have gained inspiration, and from whom I have q uoted.

To those who do not intend to settle for a mundane or mediocre life, but who wish to aspire to greatness; I trust that you will find inspiration and motivation in this volume.

To my darling wife Maxine; our daughter Lorna and son Robert, two grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great granddaughter; may you all be empowered to prosper and achieve great successes in life as you fulfil your destiny. I love you.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T o God my heavenly Father and Jesus Christ my wonderful Lord and Master; all that I am, have, and will ever be, I owe to You. Calling Jesus LORD is not merely an accolade or a heroic affirmation, but my humble recognition of His sovereign authority and supreme leadership. ‘ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever ’ (Jude 1:25).

To my spiritual leaders, mentors, friends and colleagues who have made significant contributions to my growth and development, I owe much gratitude, respect, and deep affection. Many thanks, and God bless you abundantly.

To my devoted editor Joe Tapsell, who allotted quality time editing during his bereavement. Thank you for your faithfulness, commitment, and excellent work on the manuscript, and also for writing the blurb.

I am also grateful to those whom I have been privileged to serve over the years for allowing me the opportunity to engage with them through various mediums by which I have gained vital experience and accumulated invaluable knowledge.

Special thanks to my beloved wife Maxine for reading some parts of the manuscript and making helpful corrections and constructive criticisms. I appreciate your unreserved help and untiring support.

Thanks to Genesis Gamra for his kind assistance with the cover design, and to Dwain Williams for designing the logo on page 347.

All images in this book were acquired from Shutterstock.com, and are subject to Shutterstock’s Privacy Statement, standard licence, and Website Terms of Use.

PREFACE

A Journey to Success

W elcome to ‘Secrets of Greatness’  – Soaring from Survival to Success – a guide to the potential for extraordinary successes by ordinary people. Discover YOUR capabilities, unlock the pathway to YOUR incredible future of prosperity, and enjoy the action-packed journey on YOUR way to success. Life is a gift and living is a journey from the cradle to the grave, but success is a great reward (or destination). Remember; we all have to start someday, somehow, and somewhere to get any where.

Our journey of life presents us with many challenges and diverse opportunities, but all too often we focus on the negatives and miss the positives. Life is not a wishbone; it’s not a press-button object; it’s not instant coffee or potatoes, and it’s not a lottery either. Life is a process which we should all optimise, seizing the opportunities that come our way, and maximising our potential.

In order to get the best out of life, we have to pursue it with diligence; making the right decisions, navigating through difficult times and tough challenges, and moving beyond our comfort zones. Everyone is at a different stage on their journey. Some are just beginning, while others are advancing along their way. Take an inventory of your life for a moment, and answer this question: ‘Where are you now on your journey to success?’ If you are already on your way, then take a moment to consider where you go from here, and if you haven’t started yet, now is the best time to begin to take some steps forward.

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(Fig. 2)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just make the first step.’¹ When we were young toddlers, we had to learn to make little steps before we developed the skills to walk, and all this effort took time. Furthermore, our first few years were marked by many milestones, but the most significant ones were probably our first wobbly steps made under the watchful eyes of encouraging parents who cheered us on. Walking is a major development towards the advancement of every child. It gives him or her a joyful sense of achievement for which he or she is often applauded.

Every journey too starts with a few small steps; sometimes shaky ones, it’s true, but the momentum increases with our progress. Lee J. Colan said, ‘You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.’² I want to share with you some secrets that will help you start your journey, and make progressive strides. This book offers you important insights, principles, concepts, and strategies that will optimise your ability to achieve your objectives and complete your journey to success.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

A MYSTERY AND A SECRET?

There are 138 Egyptian pyramids that have been discovered as of 2008. It is believed that most of these were built as tombs for the country’s Pharaohs and their consorts (queens). The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. They are generally considered the largest man-made structures. Egyptologists believe they were built by 20,000, to 30,000, or maybe even as many as 100,000 labourers over a period of 10 to 20 years.

The oldest and largest of the three pyramids is called the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops). It was the tallest structure in the world (146.5 metres or 481 feet) for over 3,800 years, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. Today, it stands as a monumental symbol of greatness, but how it was built or by whom remains a mystery to the entire world.

A list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:

1.   Great Pyramid of Giza

2.   Hanging Gardens of Babylon

3.   Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

4.   Statue of Zeus at Olympia (a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis)

5.   Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (also known as the Mausoleum of Mausolus)

6.   Colossus of Rhodes

7.   Lighthouse of Alexandria

A mystery is anything that is unexplainable or unknowable except by divine revelation. Here, ‘revelation’ refers to a clear perception or understanding of truth supernaturally unveiled or revealed. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all [these] things come in parables’ (Mark 4:11). Generally, a secret is something that at least one person knows – but is not (yet) meant to be known by others.

Only those who know certain ‘secrets’ succeed in life. Scripture says, ‘The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant’ (Psalm 25:14, NKJV). It is called ‘the secret’ because only those who fear God know it. Over the years, secrets of success in the fields of finance, trade, and business have been sold or passed on from one company to another.

The greatest ‘secrets’ are the secrets of greatness, and these are hidden in the great Mastermind of the universe – the Creator Himself. Somebody recently asked me, ‘What are the secrets of greatness?’ It is not easy to give a conclusive response to this question, but upon reflection I thought, ‘The secrets of the Lord are with those who fear Him’ (Psalm 25:14; Job 11:6). If we discover and apply these ‘secrets’ to our lives, we will become great. Samuel confirmed, ‘The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands, he has rewarded me’ (2 Samuel 22:21, NIV). Paul advised Timothy, ‘But godliness and contentment is great gain’ (1 Timothy 6:6).

Scripture further states, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who follow his precepts have good understanding’ (Psalm 111:10, NIV). You cannot fear [show reverence or respect to] God if you have no consciousness of Him, and you can’t have wisdom without knowledge. Both terms can have natural and supernatural sources. They are different, but interrelated and inseparable.

Wisdom is not a psychic or mystical phenomenon, and is usually applied in practical, workable principles. It is the quality of having knowledge, understanding, and good judgment. Wisdom is the ability to think, act, and make the right application of experience and knowledge. Knowledge of the great things of God, as revealed in His Word, gives guidance to the development and implementation of the sacred principles of greatness.

There are two kinds of knowledge: the one gained through our five natural senses (sense-knowledge), and supernatural knowledge, which comes from divine revelation. The secrets of greatness lie between the strategic appropriation of acquired knowledge, and the prudent application of revealed knowledge to materialise the blessings of God upon our lives. The former may be subject to our scrutiny and evaluation to ascertain its correctness or orthodoxy. The latter is supernatural information, which is absolutely correct, authentic, and reliable.

King Solomon (who was reputed as the wisest man) says, ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding’ (Proverbs 4:7). The profundity of Solomon’s wisdom was pivotal to his success. This wisdom, in contrast to worldly ‘wisdom’, is a commodity which can be supernaturally downloaded. Wisdom that does not come from above is earthly, unscriptural, unspiritual, and often diabolical.

The wisdom of God is practical, and teaches us how to live successful lives. It enables us to make big decisions, and gives us the acumen to achieve those goals. Basically, ‘wisdom’ is ‘skill’, which is not achieved or inherited, but is a supernatural gift. James confirms that ‘the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and bears good fruit, impartial and sincere’ (James 3:17).

Your wisdom is not determined by your academic qualifications. You might think you are clever because you achieved all ‘A’ grades in college or graduated with high distinctions, but that is not wisdom. If wisdom came from institutions of higher education, the world would not be in its current mess. All the great leaders of the world have attended the best universities: Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, Eton and so forth, but we still lack the ability to resolve the global credit crunch and other world crises.

I was on a British Airways flight from Nassau, Bahamas, returning from Dr. Myles Munroe’s Global Leadership Summit in 2006; when, as the aircraft began its final descent to land at London Heathrow Airport, God dropped the inspiration into my spirit to write this book.

I began writing the first draft the same day, seeking as I did to map out a successful path to greatness that would be practical, inspirational, educational, and motivational. I started by thinking about how many people have not made it either because they did not have the necessary bravery or maybe they did not know where to begin. All they do and think about non-stop is their work, business or career. They don’t live a prosperous life, but merely exist with the world on their shoulders.

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(Fig. 3)

You don’t have to be one of those; it’s up to you. You can learn how to get your anxiety under control and relax. This is vital for sustaining your health and well-being. Don’t try to do everything at once or on your own. Stay on top of your problems, and avoid worry. Allowing stress to sit on you may lead to depression, illness, weight gain, restlessness, and a general sense of discontentment, and an unfulfilled life.

Your success is your responsibility. It is not a matter of whether you can or cannot, it is a matter of whether you will or will not. You have within you the innate power and courage that will actively move you to undertake your journey and live out your dream. You advance and produce according to what is in you. The Bible says, ‘Everything reproduces after its own kind’ (Genesis 1:11). This is called the law of reproduction. God has deposited within you the ability to give birth to something great that is already resident in you. He has a plan, a purpose, and a destiny for your life.

Scripture affirms, ‘Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we are able to ask or think according to the power already at work in us’ (Ephesians 3:20). If God, the first and basic cause – the Originator of all things, could action His divine will and create the heavens and the earth, bringing something out of nothing (Genesis 1:1), He also has the amazing ability to bring greatness out of you.

God instructed Joshua, ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot…’ (Joshua 1:3, NIV). Start walking! Your journey to success begins with the first step in the right direction. Scripture says, ‘The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord’ (Psalm 37:23), and God has promised not only to honour you, but to reward each step of faith. God will walk with you down roads where no one else has trodden, to get you to your destiny. He says, ‘And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people (Leviticus 26:12). ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you’ (Isaiah 43:2, NKJV).

Overcoming fears and bursting through our comfort zones create within us the will and courage to do whatever it takes to achieve the breakthroughs we desire. This will necessitate walking by faith through uncharted territories of culture, nationalism, environment, and negativism to explore the bountiful world of possibilities: creating, inventing, investing in, revolutionising, and continually developing our dreams, and imaginations.

CONDITION OR PROBLEM?

The difference between the two words is very much the same as that between ‘signs’ and ‘symptoms’. However, one can differentiate between ‘condition’ and ‘problem’ in terms of their meanings and connotations. Generally, a ‘condition’ is the mode or state of a person or thing at a particular time. ‘Problem’ is more difficult to define, but it usually refers to any issue or matters involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty. A problem may result from a condition, and vice versa, both of which will have some bearing on the degree of your success, depending on how you perceive and respond to them.

You cannot travel up the path of success cosily parading in the costume of intimidation or failure, and allowing yourself to be victimised by conditions or problems. The pathway to greatness is not always clear or easy; the road is rarely straight and often uneven, and the journey will sometimes be long and lonely. Each person’s experiences along the way will be different because each person’s dream is different.

The beginning will present challenges. You will have speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution signals called family, curves called vacillations; diversions called frustrations; scenes around you called distractions; roadblocks called obstructions, and flat tyres called jobs, but if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, a motor called passion, a road map called vision; a recovery service called faith, and an experienced driver called Jesus; as you make onward strides the journey will become more enjoyable, and if you observe the road signs you will make it to a destination called greatness.³

I endorse the proverbial saying of William Carey (known as the father of modern missions), ‘Expect great things, attempt great things.’⁴ If we want great things from God, we have to attempt great things by faith. It is often said, ‘Don’t just stand there – not doing anything; do something!’ ‘God cannot steer a stationary vehicle.’ Start moving and let God steer your life in the right direction.

You may not have had a brilliant start, but you can have a great finish. Whatever the route you take towards your destination, it will require the map of discipline, determination, focus, courage, tenacity, and positive attitude to navigate your journey through the turbulence of the times to success.

MOTION OR DIRECTION?

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(Fig. 4)

Have you ever found yourself at a cross-road in life, confused, and not knowing which way to go? Unfortunately, some people have no sense of direction; they are really and truly not going anywhere; they are just going through the motions. They have motions without a mission. If you are not going anywhere, it is certain that you will get nowhere. Jesus says, ‘I am going there [to my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you…’ (John 14:2, NIV). Jesus knew where He was going, and what He was going to do.

Life is a discovery expedition – a journey to find purpose and destiny. It is important that you know where you are going. If you don’t know where you are headed, it’s difficult to get motivated and determine the best route to take. At the outset of your journey to ascertain your legacy of success, you need to ask yourself frequently, ‘Which way should I go from here?’ It is vital to get information before hand and seek directions. Even before that, it is a good principle to make preparations (proper planning) for any obstacles envisaged during the expedition. To plan your journey, you need to know your starting point; but where you start does not determine where you end. Your history does not dictate your future, or regulate your destiny. You will never leave where you are until you know where you want to go.

Preparation often takes more time than the journey you are preparing for, but it is, nevertheless, a prerequisite. The unexpected does occasionally happen, and contingency plans have to be put in place, or special assistance called upon. Henry Ford is quoted as having said, ‘Before everything else, getting prepared is the secret of success.’⁵ Preparations begin with a decision: get ready for your adventure and make it happen.

On one occasion, when I was studying in Switzerland, I had travelled with two of my friends by road to Berlin, Germany. We were prepared for any eventuality. It was winter, and the car broke down in heavy snow. The rescue service took a very long time to arrive, but fortunately, we had taken extra warm blankets for the journey. If we hadn’t, we could have died from hypothermia in the freezing cold weather.

An aircraft never commences any mission without adequate preparation. It is serviced and fuelled by the engineers. Sufficient food, water, blankets, medicine, oxygen, life-jackets, and other emergency equipment are taken on board; flight attendants are put in place, and the passengers briefed about the security and emergency procedures, in readiness for any eventuality. Finally, the captain announces that the flight attendants cross-check the doors and take their seats for take-off. The high flight of life to success necessitates appropriate preparation.

Never be afraid to ask for help when it is needed. I remember watching a woman police constable (WPC) trying to arrest a man outside a railway station. The man overpowered her, which was obviously very embarrassing for the WPC, but she asked for help, and a few passers-by rushed to her rescue. The man was swiftly apprehended, and the officer successfully accomplished her objective. Asking for help is a fundamental rule of success. Whenever you embark on a new adventure always seek help: advice, support, and the expertise of others, so that costly mistakes may be avoided and the potential for failure is minimised.

ASSESSING THE JOURNEY

At the very outset, it is always prudent to evaluate the journey ahead, which may involve giving due consideration to your resources – your means of transportation, finances, any time factor, the route and a possible alternative, etc., in order to determine what preparatory steps need to be taken. This is important because it helps you to prepare for the unexpected.

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(Fig. 5)

Rarely is earth’s natural beauty more evident than when making a journey by road, in daylight. This reality was vividly brought home to me when I recently visited St. Kitts – a beautiful country geographically located in the eastern Caribbean, and strategically positioned between two oceans, offering birds-eye view of smaller neighbouring islands within close proximity across the Caribbean Sea, or the Atlantic Ocean, depending on the angle from which you are viewing.

A traveller on the short breath-taking journey around the guitar-shaped island would be mesmerised by the spectacular coastal scenes so skilfully and marvellously portrayed by the divine Artist on the vast canvas of nature; high, white-cloud-capped mountains with a blue-sky background overlooking the coasts, highlighting the rendezvous of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, converging in calm and fascinating serenity below the cliffs of the ‘Black Rocks’ (so-called because of their colour and represent the remaining fragments of a historic volcano); characterized by the sparkling crystal reflection of the bright dazzling sun on the glossy seas, with brown, black, and gold-sand beaches decoratively bordering the magnificent island, giving a great feeling of extreme pleasure and utter relaxation.

Driving or walking along the narrow winding road that goes around this unique country, so marvellously endowed by nature, one is captivated by the stupendous panorama of the enchanting landscapes, enriched by the admirable sights depicting the timeless tranquillity that pervades these idyllic scenes, and by the grandeur of the green hillsides sloping down into the blue transparent waters of the warm seas, animated by exotic birds, animals, plants, and multi-coloured psychedelic flowers of various descriptions.

Each day concludes with a spectacular sunset over the western horizon, too beautiful for words to describe, with the sun apparently descending into the Atlantic Ocean overshadowed with darkness, and kissing the salty waters, as it were, bidding ‘good night’ to nature and the inhabitants of the region as a whole.

Unfortunately, this cheerful, radiant, and exciting voyage around a Caribbean island does not sum up the reality of life’s experiences. There is no ‘pie in the sky’ route to success, and not every journey is as pleasant and enjoyable as the expedition described above. Even with all the splendour of creation and the rich, graphic experiences of life’s journey, sometimes we may become pessimistic and feel downtrodden because we do not seem to be getting anywhere fast, forgetting that ‘the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong’ (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

For believers, prayer is the fuel that generously provides drive, power, and long-lasting hope for the journey. During discouragements and disappointments, some people lose heart along life’s roads and fall miserably short of reaching unequivocal victory; yet greatness is within the vast range or scope of every decent, rational person. Nobody, though, will ascend to any significant level of success obliviously in mental darkness. Ignorance is not always bliss, as some people suppose.

KNOWLEDGE IS A PRELUDE TO POWER

Greatness springs from what you know. It is evident that you cannot be walking in what you do not know. Your success will never exceed your faith level (you have to believe you can succeed), and faith is based on knowledge. You believe in what you know until what you believe becomes your reality. Your reality is the authenticity and materiality of your belief, your dream. It is proof that you have actually succeeded.

There is much more to life than meets the eye. You can richly acquire profound knowledge from the changing circumstances of life and the experiences of others. Chart your course with forethought, vigilance, and understanding; it is not so much how you begin but how you end. Quit trying to be somebody else and be yourself as you travel along the highway of success

Do not look at your life and allow the crises in it to define you. Instead, let Christ define you. As Christians, we do not interpret success by what the world calls success; we define success by what God designed us to be and the fulfilment of our destiny – not by what anyone else thinks we should be. This kind of positive attitude may seem arrogant to some insecure people, but it is the right attitude to have if we are determined to move towards great success.

However, we must be careful to avoid the potential pitfall of becoming so ambitious and mindful about prosperity that we forget to maintain the posterity of righteous living. The ephemeral (momentary or shot-term) seduction of riches and celebrity may blur our vision and can sometimes even force us to stagger towards sensationalism, sorely losing our balance and the cutting edge in life.

God has already given you the fundamental laws and strategies for success in His Word. God’s Word will change your perspective of life, which in turn will eventually reform your lifestyle. However, many believers have only head knowledge of the Word, never actually realised it.

Have you ever felt uncertain about your position or your purpose in life? Have you doubted whether God really loves you or cares about your situation? Have you ever felt like you are a failure? Have you struggled over what to do when nothing seems to work? Well, you are not on your own. We have all been there (or close by) at some point, but I want you to understand that every misfortune in your life is a stepping stone to great victory. Ironically, failure is a vehicle that can take you to success if you have the courage and discipline to try again.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

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Hand writing ACTION

(Fig. 6).

Do not procrastinate. This means that we must not put off what we can do today for tomorrow for today is ours, but tomorrow may never come, and if it does, we do not know what it will bring. Take ACTION now! Excel in the direction of enormous, flawless attainments, and