In June 1999, when I became actively involved with morning devotions and family life programs on JOY 99.7 FM, I began introducing several of my presentations with aphorisms (short wise sayings) or maxims that I dubbed “NUGGETS OF GOD”.

I remember Rev. Kofi Okyere (of the International Gospel Church), who hosted several “JOY Quiet Time” sessions with me during that period (along with Rev. Cephas Amartey), enjoying these statements and firmly advising me to compile them into a book form for the benefit of the public. Over the years I have developed more “Nuggets Of Gold”, sometimes on-the-spot for my writings and seminars, and they have evolved into important articles.

Someone even suggested that it would be a good tool for character-building in the lives of people who had no parental training. These days I expand on the initial ideas a little bit, for clarity and to also incorporate some in-depth meaty materials for better application of the pith and marrow of the point I intend to make. I wish to share three of them in this article, and keep sharing some more from time to time.

NUGGET OF GOLD --- #1 YOU REAP THE RESULTS OF YOUR SOWING AND MANAGEMENT The energy that brings cold air from your air-conditioning machine is the same energy that blows the hot air from your heating machine. It all depends on what you direct the energy source to do at a particular time, and for a specific reason.

The energy was not designed to directly provide your specific need or give you the different things you want. It will not iron your clothing, cook for you, vacuum the floor of your home, or tune you to the television or radio station of your choice. Mismanagement of the energy can even burn down your home and destroy you in addition.

This is similar to your heart and your mind --- both will take and process whatever you give to them, for corruption or for righteousness; for hatred or for love; for laziness or for diligence; for callousness or for compassion; for humility or for pride; for stubbornness or for obedience; for impure lifestyle or for holy living; for victory or for defeat; for failure or for success. Mismanagement and misguidance of your mind and heart can cause your devastation and ultimate demise.

The seeds you sow into your life and the life of others today (with your words, deeds, and attitude), will give you your particular harvest in your collection basket of tomorrow. If your harvest is small or diseased, then it will be wise for you to check the seeds that you have been sowing.

NUGGET OF GOLD --- #2 LIFE IS A JOURNEY. NEVER STOP LEARNING It is common for us to stop learning new lessons, and find ourselves living in the fog of “complete arrival at all of our destinations in life”, because of momentary success and victory in special areas of our deepest interests. When work, business, education, graduations, ministry, projects, investments, election results, money, loans, scholarships, good accommodation, transport, dating, courtship, marriage, childbirth, entry visas, immigration papers, health, contacts and contracts, favors, opportunities, promotions, praises of people etc. are all springing up and booming, then the deceptive clouds of absolute invincibility suddenly descend on us. Then humility and total dependence upon God vaporizes, and we zoom off along the road of life in unimaginable strides as if we know it all, and own it all.

But, hmmm; wait a minute; we need to caution ourselves that IF these high points of our lives do not produce godliness and inner transformation of character that prepare us for the tools and implementations that would take us to the next higher level of life, and especially prepare us for eternity, then when the normal mid-afternoon heat of life sweeps across our territory and cause all the exciting fog around us to disappear, our nakedness will be lamentably exposed for us to know that after all we were not as protected and invincible as we thought ---- and have not even reached the middle of our journey, to even dream of ultimate arrival. Let us learn how to wisely, humbly, and progressively handle any kind and form of success that comes our way.

NUGGET OF GOLD #3 DELEGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY Any leader or person in a trusted position, who cannot delegate, is a self-centered ineffective leader with poor interpersonal relations and a parochial (narrow) view of life and true success.

No man was created to be an exclusive island that simply rules and manages all other lands. True success is achieved, and affects many lives, only through diligent human connections and interconnections.

It should be noted, however, that YOU CAN DELEGATE AUTHORITY AND DUTIES, BUT YOU CANNOT DELEGATE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACTIONS OF YOUR DELEGATION. If you select someone to represent you, then you must be ready to accept the responsibility and the intended as well as unintended consequences of the actions and lapses of your representative. You become the chief receiver of the joy and elevation of the achievement as well.

The vote of an ambassador is the vote of the leader of his or her nation and its people. The good or evil fruits of the representative of a company or organization are the products of the CEO of the company and the fruits of that organization.

The voice of an Elder or delegate who represents his or her church, is the voice of his pastor and the congregation. What is exhibited by a child is an indirect reflection of the parent or guardian, and is a carbon copy of the characteristics of the family or home of that child.

Your inability to delegate, or the kind of person you delegate, or your thoughtless manner of talking and acting without considering how the intended and unintended consequences affect other people, are clear indications of the kind of person you are --- whether you are a promoter or destroyer of the progress of family and society.

By Dr. Samuel Kisseadoo, Professor of Biology in Virginia. Ordained Licensed Minister, International Evangelist. Relationships, Marriage, and Family Counselor.