YOU CAN'T BE PURPOSE DRIVEN WHEN YOU'RE LIVING FOR THE MOMENT

Actually, if you're from, or if you've ever been to this part of the world where I come from (Nigeria); then I'm sure you must have heard this slangy statement, "man die go, woman born another". Well, to an extent it's definitely true that as people die, they're being replaced by new species on a daily basis. Now, this is just the biological meaning of this statement.

On the other hand, it might interest you to know that in a literal sense, this statement has nothing to do with the description above. In most cases, the message the speakers of this slang are trying to convey is, 'I know I won't be living forever, so allow me enjoy the moment".

Unfortunately, a greater percentage of the youths happen to be victims of 'living for the moment'. As a matter of fact, for most people, since the future is never predictable, they can abuse anything and live as they like all in the name of enjoying life. However, it's not supposed to be so. The mere fact that tomorrow is uncertain doesn't mean we should be wayward. The truth is that, from a logical angle, it's quite obvious that as long as you don't have ambition that's strong enough, you'll always be eluded of the beauty and possibility of an amazing future.

Like my mother would say, all the morals and life's lessons you need for a better life is embedded in the Bible. So on that note, I'd love to pinpoint someone in the scripture that lived for the moment. His name is Gehazi.

Even though Bible scholars may argue with my assertion; yet, personally I feel Gehazi was a very smart person and would have actually make a great prophet if only he was guided by his ambition. For instance, when his master (Prophet Elisha) was unsure about how he could reward a certain Shunammite woman for her kindness, it was Gehazi who told the master that she had no child despite the fact that she said she had no problem.

And he said, what then is to be done for her?. And Gehazi answered, verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. (2 Kings 4:14 KJV)

Of course you'll agree with me that the prospect of Gehazi becoming a prophet just like his master was there, but he threw everything away due to his pursuit of pleasure that wasn't even substantial enough. The Bible verses in 2Kings chapter 5 tell the whole story...

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”
21 So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.
22 “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”
23 “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.
24 But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.
25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”. “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
26 But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you?. Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?
27 Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow. (NLT)

Funnily enough, you must have expected a long write-up with many biblical references; but personally I believe a word is enough for the wise. I sincerely hope you'll learn a thing or two from this piece. Thank you for reading. God bless you!