I had this experience while on campus those days. I saw that when people need serious counselling and help, they would come to me. One day, I asked one of the counselees; “I thought you would share your experience with that brother you are following, what happened?” The counselee responded; “I know he cannot help me, that’s why I came to you.”

Successful people live for tomorrow, while failures live for the here and now, they live for today. The man that will be in charge tomorrow is one who is already paying attention to what would matter when that tomorrow comes. God does not want you to enter a future of surprise. You must be intentional about how you are living today.

One mystery about paying prices for your future of greatness is that, at the moment, it may look as though you and the man who is loafing about are the same, and that you are not smart; but the future will tell. Esau gave away his future without knowing; Jacob bought the future before it arrived (Genesis 25:31-33).

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). A profane person does not value sacred things. There are lots of “Esaus” in the world today who live for the here and now. They don’t know how to delay gratification. They act based on their feeling and convenience, and not based on their convictions.

In marriage, what would matter tomorrow is not the hypes that people show around you. It is the silent labours and commitment you are pouring into your relationship and marriage. For pastors, it is not the noise you are making today on the social media; it is the strong foundation of the Word and Spirit, and the leadership structures you are putting around your ministry.

“The future does not belong to the man doing it quick but to the man doing it right” were the words of my spiritual father to us. Doing it right will always trump doing it quick. Go for integrity, not crookedness. Sensitivity, not smartness. The word of God, not quotable quotes. Chastity, not promiscuity. Training, not fanfare. Fathering, not flattery. JESUS, not worldliness etc. Mind these things and your tomorrow is secured. You will succeed!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria