Sometimes, maybe even oftentimes, we look more at our impediments than our possibilities. And if we do not do that to ourselves, we often do that on others. We are more focused on their shortcomings and defects, than look at them more optimistically in terms of how their impediments need not stand in the way of achievement, or sometimes even help them achieve.
I am reminded of Steve Jobs, the late great creator of new possibilities in Apple, who said that in life, every dot – meaning, every happening – connects. That is, every step we take, every new bit of knowledge or skill we gain, makes possible some future step.
The only thing, however, is that we can only connect the dots looking backwards, and not looking forwards.
Looking backwards requires good memory, looking forwards requires faith, and that inner desire to make things happen.
Here is a story of not being held back by misfortune or impediment, because we simply do not know the future. Only at the end of our life can we see how the dots connect.
A king had a male servant who, in all circumstances, always said to him, “My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes.”
One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king. The servant managed to kill the animal, but couldn’t prevent his majesty from losing a finger.
Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said: “If God were good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger.”
The servant replied: “Despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong”.
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again: “God is Good and Perfect.”
Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who used human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages noticed that the king did not have one finger in place. He was released because he was considered “not complete” – not perfect enough – to be offered to the gods.
On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said: “God was really good to me. I was almost killed, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question: If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison?”
His servant replied: “My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger.”
Often we complain about life, and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose, even though that purpose might not be plain to us, possibly, for many years.