Dare to soar in 2004

It’s my conviction that we should all aspire to the above-average zone. Fundamentally, God has built in every man the capacity to be a high achiever. He also provides us with the road map to get there. So take the Master’s key, open the door, and soar ... in 2004!

Primarily, there is one feature that is common to all pertaining to the New Year. Basically, everyone wants to excel, move up, succeed and advance. In other words, the dominant desire in the heart is to soar.

The dictionary gives the meaning of the word “soar” as “To rise to great heights.” Whether it’s spirituality, physically, mentally, morally or materiality, none of us wants to decline or sink into failure. For ourselves, our families, our nation, we desire the upward/forward thrust. This is the reason I challenge everyone of you precious readers: Dare to soar in 2004! There is another meaning of the word “soar” which I particularly like: “To rise beyond what is common or ordinary.” As we may say in local parlance, this is my kinda thing! It’s my conviction that we should all aspire to the above-average zone. The average-mentality syndrome brings a kind of paralysis. Who says the status quo must dictate your destiny? You don’t have to fall below expectations. You don’t have to merely meet expectations. You can soar beyond expectations! You don’t have to be pushed into fulfilling purpose. You can be God-inspired and self-motivated, excelling your teachers and exceeding expectations.

Fundamentally, God has built in every man the capacity to be a high achiever. He also provides us with the road map to get there. Following His principles can easily allow us to soar — to rise above the common and ordinary. This is what constitutes maximising and realising our God-given potential. We do not scorn the “ordinary” or “common.” But I can assure you that neither of these is a place to drop your anchor. At each of these locations, I can also see a sign marked, “No parking zone.” You pass there, you don’t park there! God desires to transform the ordinary to the extraordinary.  People who resign themselves to settle for the “ordinary” or “common” are usually not on the success list. Gold must be your goal. If, however, soaring has to do with this quality of achieving, then obviously, the process would be a challenging one. There is no such thing as achieving significant heights without encountering significant resistance. There is no such thing as rising to the above-average without enormous test of courage. Here is where the very first word of the slogan comes in — “dare.”

Soaring in the stormy weather of today’s world is indeed a daring initiative. The word “dare” has to do with courage, fortitude, boldness, determination and resolve.” In fact, that big New Year’s word “resolution” is derived from the word “resolve.” So when we say, “Dare to soar in 2004,” we are in fact throwing out the challenge to make a resolution to soar in this new year. The word “dare” or “resolve” becomes necessary because of the militating factors one is destined to confront on a mission to horizons beyond the common and ordinary. Vision, resolve and optimism (or faith) are three extremely essential ingredients required for any mission of purpose. Simply put, the vision is what we desire to achieve. Resolve is the strength of determination and courage — the daring disposition. Optimism or faith is the positive mind-set and perspective we adopt in the process. Optimism is also very vital to resilience, which provides the tenacity to “survive.” Dare to soar in 2004!

Problems ahead? So what? A closer look at each problem reveals hidden opportunities. Look beyond the problem and see the opportunities — opportunities to soar! Where there is a will, there is a way. That’s what the eagle sees when it encounters a storm — a grand opportunity to spread its wings, ride the air currents and float to fantastic heights! The same storm that brings nerve-wracking fear to other creatures of the air, is viewed with great delight by the eagle. The difference is that the eagle sees the advantageous part of it — the opportunity — and makes full use of it. This reminds us of the glorious words of the Holy Bible, penned by the prophet Isaiah: “Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isa 40:31 NIV). Here is the master key. And don’t forget, the master key is really the Master’s key! Trust in the Lord, the One who holds the future, the Source of all faith and power.

No doubt the Apostle Paul had this in mind when he declared, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Perhaps this also gave Paul the assurance, that despite the most rigorous of tests, trials and challenges, we can “always keep excelling in the work of the Lord ...” (1 Cor 15:58). And who knows, perhaps there was a trace of inspiration of a similar kind in the mind of R Kelly when he penned these words of his super-popular hit: “I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky ... I believe I can soar, see me running through that open door ...” Yes, surely, you can aim for the sky and soar in 2004! Take the Master’s key, open the door ... and soar!