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| "Time is a gift and to use it wisely is admirable"-Renewing Faith Publishing |
Did you know that the Empire State Building was built during 1930-31 in a record one year and 45 days? It is known to rise over 1,453 feet from the ground with 103 floors of steel, limestone, granite and brick weighing in excess of 365,000 tons. A total of 1,860 steps extend from the street level up to the 102nd floor.
Given this construct, the building doesn't sway. It gives, but only to a total extent of 1.48 inches in 110-mph winds. The architect took great pride that the building's movement off center was limited to less than 0.75 of an inch on either side. So what holds up this mighty building and keeps it standing so tall and proud? A 55-foot deep foundation of steel and concrete embedded in solid ground.
A crew of 600 men working day and night dug the foundation for this engineering marvel in just 45 days, but without these extreme footings, the building would not possess its strength.- Devotional January 2017, Renewing Faith Publishing
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As graduation season rolls on, like the Empire State Building, the members of the graduating class of 2018 worldwide, took the necessary steps to ensure their foundation of knowledge was deeply rooted. I can attest that many sacrifices were made as the New Year began which trumpeted the countdown to graduation. Study groups were formed with persons whom we knew only in passing that blossomed into the most wonderful of friendships. The fickleness of those who we perceived to be close friends was exposed and as life would have it, the ball kept rolling.
Each day, we saw just how much our lives were like this architectural giant. From the inception of medical school, our character was shaped, as we advanced, we noticed how easy it was to stand tall with assurance in spite of our challenges because we knew our feet were grounded on a solid foundation.
It may have taken us longer to grasp, however, we learnt to Q-TIP (quit taking it personal) because at the end of the day when a patient's life is on the line, whether or not we are friends with our colleagues is not important, rather having respect and a mutual understanding and a common goal of placing the needs of the patient first is all that matters.
We sat exams, we performed and we even exceeded our own expectations and now stand proud, not because we made it, rather because we recognise that it was not by our own strength but that of God, that we overcame.
So to all of my fellow graduates entering the working world or advancing to higher academic heights, remember that despite crossing this hurdle, a new chapter has begun and new challenges await you.
As Dwight L. Moody once said "character is what a man is in the dark". The people you encounter each day notice how you act and react in various situations. Persons you don't even know form impressions of your character and integrity just through observation; the test is not behind, it now lies ahead.
Keep stepping out in faith and don't ever forget that God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT) stay grounded in Him.
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