Hindsight

Growing up I remember my parents always telling me to do what’s right. They said to base my decisions on what pleases God and spend some time reading the word of God everyday. As a young child those advice sounded right and easy to follow. But as I grew into a teenager and then a young adult I started to realise why they had spent many nights and days telling me all of that. 

I started to see that it was easier to take what doesn’t belong to you than to work hard for yours, that it was easier to live a lie than to stand up for the truth. And though the darkness of this world seemed a shorter path to success, the words of light which I had heard throughout my growing up days always auto corrected me when I attempt to take a short cut. 

I had grown up reading the bible, every time I was about to do something wrong, there was a word ringing in my ears, a word from the bible – the book of truths. One bible verse that has guided me through life is Psalm 1:

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

And in particular verses 2 and 3 that talks about if a man decides to spend time reading and meditating on God’s word he was sure to prosper in whatever he did. Today I look back on my life as an adult and the successes that have come my way and I say for a fact that that verse is so true. 

I know sometimes you may think the ones who don’t live according to God’s standard or do evil things have all the wealth and successes, I assure you it will be short lived. True success and happiness comes from living according to the word of God and believe me you will prosper in all you do. Now God’s ways are not yours neither are his thoughts, so your definition of ‘prosper in all he does may vary’. Ultimately all will go well with you in life and that’s all that counts – success that comes with peace.

I took some time to reflect on God’s goodness in my life and I am so grateful for parents who brought me up in his ways, who showed me the path of righteousness and who insisted that I walk in it. This is my special thank you to my mom and dad for being a light and for showing me how to live a truly successful life. 

And now that I have kids I sincerely pray I can be that to them too so when they grow up into adults and look back on their lives, they can say surely the man that loves God’s word and meditate on his it prospers in all he does. 

Blog post image courtesy of hywards at FreeDigitalPhotos.net