The Principle of Growing Down

“They” refer to our generation as the Indomie Generation. Instant gratification’s the name of the game, with many of us wanting it all – success, money, sex, power, love and others – “now now” in our race against that imaginary clock that ticks away in the background. As for me, I can’t even front because I have my guilty moments of indulging in the madness of it all. I’m a lot more patient than I used to be undoubtedly – Baba God has trained me well – but every now and again, waiting seems longer and pointless. “I want to fly, Mama Bird,” knowing fully well that my wings are half formed and there’s still so much to be done. We all know what happens to birds that leave the nest too soon. Study a tree next time you see one. A personal mentor recently narrated the story behind these woody friends in a “Rhema” moment; his focus on how God uses something so simple to illustrate a complex process. For one thing, a tree must first grow ‘down’ before it grows up. Its roots must first take form, which is vital because they supply water to the growing plant and keep it anchored to the ground. It’s only when they’re in place that the shoot-turned-trunk grows. Another unique  thing about trees is how long it takes for them to grow, especially oak trees. It takes oaks not one, two or three years, but decades before they can actually be considered useful. Interestingly, they’re one of the strongest trees in existence, and can live for up to 1,000 years. There’s an interesting contrast between these trees and the Indomie noodles we’re synonymous with that I’d like to explore at this point. We’ve already established that oak trees are extremely strong and nearly indestructible. On the other hand, Indomie can be crushed with ease in its uncooked state (I should know, being one of those people that munch on it straight from its pack). Let’s not forget that oaks and other trees bear fruits (real food) that give nutrition, but Indomie’s nutritious value is, erm … questionable. And how long does it take to cook Indomie without all the “mede mede” we add anyway? 15 minutes tops, and that’s if you like it really soft. Food for thought: How many million dollar empires have we seen crumble because of the tiniest of scandals? How many legacies have fallen apart because of character defects? A good number of these individuals actually took years to occupy their seats of power and influence, so you can only imagine what happens to those who get theirs overnight. Stop rushing to nowhere! Choose to get rooted instead. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3       About the Writer: Ify Halim is a writer and media enthusiast based in Lagos. She enjoys writing self-help/inspirational articles with published work in UYD Magazine, Edufrica, Our Stories Inc. and The Keele Concourse. She currently works at ConnectNigeria.com, Nigeria’s Information Portal. Follow her on Twitter @MissHalim or visit her online space at ifyhalim.wordpress.com

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This article was first published on 12th May 2015

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