When my daughter was much younger, she’d always have something to tell me about new students in her school. One time, she kept telling me about this new student in her class. I gently told her, “Leave that new student alone. You were once new, too.” That conversation reminded me about life.
Friend, you need to handle progress with humility (1 Peter 2:9-10). Your humility is seen in how you relate with those coming behind you. Do you assume superiority or stay humble? Whether in career, marriage, or ministry, don’t relate with those who are just starting as though you are an expert (Ephesians 2:8-13).
Until you learn to manage your own journey with God with some caution, you will be a victim of pride and presumption (2 Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:12-13). If you don’t learn this early, God will humble you by promoting those who seem lesser than you (2 Chronicles 18:23).
You might look at someone who has just started a business, blazing the trail while you are frustrated in the same business (Ecclesiastes 10:15, 1 Corinthians 15:10). You have known too much history and lost sight of the future. Like I told my daughter, leave newcomers alone and focus on your own life and journey.
No matter how early or late you start out in life, you need to remain a learner (John 5:30). None of us will graduate from learning. The only expert is God – He’s the perfection of beauty. We are all still improving one way or another. Decades of marriage don’t equal marital bliss.
Sometimes, you need to learn from newcomers. Like Apostle Paul, they often come with new ideas, directions, and zeal (1 Corinthians 15:8-10). Paul eventually outran those ahead of him. He stayed humble and open to learning (Philippians 3:10-14). What about you? Are you handling progress with humility?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria