The Need for Personal Development – 2

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. In the previous edition, we examined what development is and why some youths refuse to grow. This week, we dive deeper into The Need for Personal Development.

What is personal development? Personal development or self-improvement consists of activities that develop a person’s capabilities and potential, build human capital, facilitate employability, enhance quality of life, and facilitate the realisation of dreams and aspirations. Therefore, personal development is  personal thing, and you are to take the sole responsibility to develop yourself.

A wise man once said, and I believe it, “The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.” I really do not care where you are now or what you have accomplished; there is always a better way of doing what you are doing now.

Life is programmed for growth and development. But if you are careless enough to refuse to develop yourself, you are programming yourself for stagnation. The Word says: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

How did the child become a son? Through personal development! The truth is that you cannot make your life count as a child; never! Only sons make the most of life. But how else will you become a son except you develop?

Life is designed for change. That is why no man remains exactly as he was fifteen years ago. Even if he was born fifteen years ago, he can’t remain the same. Physiological development would have been taking place in his life every day until gradually he became a man. If your life must count, you must keep developing.

One Thing you must Know about Development

It Requires Labour: The Word says: But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Some people read this scripture and begin to pray, “God, give me grace; Lord, give me grace to make my life count.” They then sit down, fold their arms and expect grace to work for them. Please note that grace only answers to those who labour! Paul was a beneficiary of the grace of God, yet he did not go to sleep with it; he began to labour. That same Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am,” also said in 2 Timothy 4:13, The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. He was labouring in studying to develop himself.

While it is true that the grace of God has been released in your life, you also have your own contributions to make. Personal development is a non-transferable responsibility, so the sooner you accept the challenge and make your life count, the better for you. Many people prefer to run to their pastors and say, “Pastor, pray for me; anoint me, lay hands on me,” than to labour in the Word and get answers to their problems.

A closer look at that passage in 1 Corinthians 15:10 will reveal the occurrence of “I” and “me” six times. On the other hand, God is referred to only three times. In other words, God has to do only half of what is required of you! The summary is you are the principal actor in the matter of your destiny; nothing and nobody is to blame, not even the country or city where you live.

Remember that you have six portions of the blame; three is God’s, and one portion is for the other people relevant to your development. Imagine that! Only ten percent for the people you have been blaming for your failure all this while! So, accept responsibility because responsibility is the price for greatness. When you accept responsibility for your life, God releases His grace upon you. I see God endow you with His grace from today in Jesus’ name!

However, to grow in life, you need the help of God. So, if you are not born again, please say this prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now, I know I am born again!

Congratulations, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Single with A Difference and Make Your Life Count