Your time will come- Part 2

First, my sincere apologies for publishing this article late. The original plan was to make a write-up every week. I saw a Facebook post by Mr. Pako Moshaga, 'the personal branding guru' on the need to stay consistent so that we may reach our goals. I tried to look for the post so that I don't misquote him when paraphrasing. Anyway, it has been hectic lately, so much so that I failed to keep my personal commitment. To make up for this, I'm going to write another article latest, in the early hours of Friday. My aim is always to help at least one person with the content I post. However, in doing so, I realize that I am becoming the biggest beneficiary. I find myself first being very hopeful, and second, being in gratitude for my life experiences. I will share this in the coming articles as this cannot be decoded in just one.

In a recent interview between Piers Morgan and Jordan Peterson. Piers asked Jordan why our generation appears more anxious in comparison to the past generations. Piers gave the context of a conversation he had with Dr. Phil, and I'm paraphrasing him. " 20 years ago, if a man got eaten by a crocodile, we probably would never know of it because the news channel will most probably not cover it. However, today it's quite likely that within 30 minutes of the event, social media will be filled with graphic imagery of the man being eaten by the crocodile, young people sharing it and being exposed constantly to this emotionally disturbing vision." We are living in an era of information overdose where everything is at our fingertips and faces. Every day people are posting beautiful pictures of their success while others are facing depression about the same situations. It is no wonder why young people are depressed. This being the case, we must realize that there is a time and season for everything- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and we will reap in due season- Galatians 6:9.

This brings in remembrance of a time when I was in the internship. I was just about to complete my AAT then when a position arose in the accounts department of the organization. I think it was around May 2009 when the company placed an advert for the position of Accounts clerk. I was wondering why the company did not advertise it internally, or just promote me as they were quite happy with the work I was performing and knew that I will qualify for the role in less than 2 months. Anyway, fast forward, they hired someone from outside. I was devastated, I mean how can people give you the impression that they like what you do, and when an opportunity arises, they do not grant it to you? I was even thinking of quitting. The funny thing is, the person who was hired for the role is the one who kept encouraging me. He was a jovial person, funny, and very good at establishing relationships quickly. He had just started work in the month of June but had already maintained good relations with everyone within the Accounts department. One day he said to me in our native language, "O batla tiro Onks? ke tla go soma" (Do you need a job Onks? I will grant it to you?)

One afternoon, I think it was in the middle of July 2009, this guy told me he was going for a heart checkup the following day. He made a joke about how he will be watching his heart palpitations on the screen as the doctor examines him. Sadly, he did not make it to the check-up. He passed away the morning of the following day (May his soul remain resting in eternal peace), and just like that, there was a vacancy again, which was then granted to me. It came with a lower salary pending my final examination results. I started on August 2009. Within a month, the results were released and I had passed. I was then promoted to the position of Assistant Accountant with higher pay. It then dawned on me that, when Thapelo said that he will grant a job to me, he really did although in the most unfortunate way.

You see, we cannot fathom the mysteries of how God works. Some things come easy to others but others have to toil, sometimes for many years. There is always a lesson learned in the process. I know it is a very painful and unpleasant situation to be in. Jeremiah 31:15 says weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. You may be in your night season but I guarantee you, you will have your morning season too. In my case, I came close to giving up when an opportunity presented itself. This is why we should always remain hopeful. You may be years into your job search and still have not even called up for an interview. Do not give up, keep on refining your skills, that great opportunity will eventually come your way.

In the next article, I will talk about my latest night hour and how I overcame it.