Rise above limitation

We learnt from a man called Zacchaeus who demonstrated an amazing quality that is very unique in life and that is the attribute of determination despite the limitations that people could identify in his life. This same attribute is needed to strengthen and empower our empathetic relationships and divine connections because this is what Zacchaeus needed even in entering the unified relationship with Christ Jesus. Determination even in empathetic relations is needful in coping with issues of life hence we continue to esteem the other more than self and this is a life skills for all in this contemporary life.

We have the capacity to ‘can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens us’ (Philippians 4:13) hence it is necessary to explore the concept of determination as a foundational attribute in our life skills package. Sometimes we may even wonder if we know the meaning of the concept as we indiscriminately use it in our daily conversations. The reason why this attribute is critical is because it is one of the quality factors for success and yet many of us take it for granted. I have observed even at personal level how intentional application of this attribute of determination has significantly differentiated people even in the manner in which we resolve matters of life. In some cases, it is the inherent depth needed for internalization of what this determination really means and its influence on personal application.

One then could ask a question, what is determination and what is its contribution in our daily lives and even in seeking our purpose for our divine creation? And in responding, one could use diverse dimensions with perspectives that are varied in depth and this does not make it an easy matter. Determination means one has a qualitative strength within for pushing and continually pushing and or trying to do more because one recognizes that this pushing is necessary to achieve something that is generally difficult or that which will not always come easy. Let us remember that we are discussing determination at a time when the world is so full of expectations in life for instant gratification. People do not want to wait or to put an extra effort in matters that are considered important and if we do not learn as individuals, families, communities, nations and global society that sometimes we need to permit ourselves to be stretched and even be intentional about it, then we may operate with shallow perspectives to life.

Zacchaeus was surely a man of determination as well as a man of strategy and this is a powerful combination in pushing issues of life with determination. This determination therefore involves the act of finding out or calculating something out and deciding from our inner being that we will stand firm, resolute, fixated with intentness and singleness of heart especially as we pursue purpose and direction in life. In as much as the act of determination is such a powerful attribute and often a factor for our success, we need to see its influence. This is particularly so in our academic environment, performance in the work place, marital and family relations and peace and reconciliation processes at all levels.

In determination, people choose that they are not going to be easily shifted because we believe the position we stand on or for is actually the very best or is the right one. Determination is a good attribute but it is always important to be certain that we subject our determination to spiritual and cognitive discernment. This is because if we are determined to push something that is foundationally not right we are going to use the same principles with focal positioning and our determination may fail the test of godliness. We are all encouraged therefore ‘not to grow weary in doing good’ (2 Thessalonians 3:13) as we are firm, purposeful with grit of mind for ‘whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope’ (Romans 15:4).