Patience and Sowing
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Breakfast
A few Sundays ago, I was having breakfast with a mentor and he was sharing with me the different projects he is working on. He told me about a business that took nearly 10 years before finding a sustainable business model. I also shared with him some opportunities in the Nigerian timber market and how waiting 30 years for trees to grow was an unignorable risk. He responded and said, “Of course, everything good and worth doing takes time. The goal of a Christian is to always go with the hard, difficult, and long road; and to never look for comfort and shortcuts when pursuing the goal.”
He went on to tell me about Folorunsho Alakija, the richest African woman. She’s a seasoned entrepreneur but what she is most known for is her oil exploration company, Famfa Oil. Initially only trying to offer professional catering and transportation services to the Nigerian oil industry, the Nigerian petroleum minister, Jubril Aminu, told her that an opportunity in the market was oil exploration - and she was overwhelmed by how difficult it was to operate in this part of the value chain, but she decided to give it a shot. In May 1993, Mrs Alakija applied for an oil prospecting license. The petroleum minister would be replaced again and again within the next 3 years, and each time, she would re-apply for the license to the new administration. 3 years later, her application was accepted. This would only be her first major challenge. It was only 14 years later, after numerous legal battles, acquisitions, failed JVs, did they finally strike oil in the Agbami field. And the rest they say is history.
True patience
Through my life, I have learned and seen numerous moments where patience is a characteristic that yields rewarding returns. This profound notion is succinctly encapsulated in the timeless adage "good things come to those who wait." This saying holds a deep-seated truth that resonates with countless facets of our existence, encompassing everything from personal development and the acquisition of knowledge, to the relentless pursuit of success and accomplishments. If only you keep sowing through the process.
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
― Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Take for instance the process of mastering a new skill. In our rapidly evolving world, where everything is seemingly at our fingertips, the allure to expedite the learning process to reach the zenith of mastery can be enticing. However, the journey of learning is far from a straightforward path. It's an expedition that necessitates traversing the convoluted routes of trial and error, encountering failures, and most importantly, deriving invaluable lessons from these setbacks. This journey is not a headlong sprint, but rather, a long-drawn-out marathon. It demands time, tenacity, and unwavering dedication, but the payoff is a profound, comprehensive, and resilient understanding of the skill, a level of expertise that simply cannot be attained through any shortcuts or quick fixes.
The principle of patience and its subsequent reward is also mirrored in the natural world. From the moment a minuscule seed or young plant is nestled into the soil, it takes several years of nurturing and growth for it to transform into a fruit-bearing tree. The tree doesn't sprout to its full height overnight. It grows at a measured, unhurried pace, drawing vital nutrients from the soil, harnessing life-sustaining sunlight, and absorbing water from the ground. It withstands storms and survives droughts, persistently growing against all adversities, blossoming into a majestic entity that provides shade to the weary and fruit to the hungry. This process, too, bears testament to the undeniable fact that the best things in life require time.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
― Romans 8:25
In the sphere of our personal relationships as well, the axiom of patience is true. Building trust, nurturing understanding, and fostering love in a relationship is not an instantaneous process. It demands an investment of time, the exercise of patience, the establishment and use of open lines of communication, and the ability to navigate through conflicts, differences, and misunderstandings. It's a continuous endeavor that grows in depth and strengthens over time, eventually culminating in relationships that are strong, enduring, and deeply satisfying.
Keep Going
In summation, the finer things in life, the experiences that are truly rewarding and fulfilling, demand patience and time. Be it the voyage of acquiring a new skill, the slow and steady growth of a tree, or the intricate process of building a relationship, the path can often be slow, arduous, and fraught with challenges. However, the end result, the crowning achievement, is often well worth the wait and the hardships endured.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
― Galatians 6:9
To lose patience is to lose the battle.
― Mahatma Ghandi
The journey, with all its highs and lows, trials and triumphs, is as meaningful and enriching as the eventual destination. In its truest sense, patience is a valuable investment that yields the richest dividends in life.