THE PATH

CHAPTER ONE <> Choose the right Path- George Bronner

“If only you can see, then you will know how to live”.
He took a deep breath and smiled faintly. His eyes were on his ever-attentive students of Lecture Theatre Hall A. After a short pause, he continued, “To every destination, there are paths, but those who attain their desired destinations are the deliberate pathfinders.”

Dr. Rotimi Shiwa was a hardworking and focused young man. He had recently clocked 30 and before that time, he had completed his doctorate degree in Chemistry abroad. He had resumed a lucrative lecturing job at Yale University, Connecticut, United States of America, before he applied for the post of a chemistry instructor at the Centre based on God’s leading.

Dr. Shiwa loved his job and he put his all into it. His students copied this lifestyle and faced their studies with every fibre of their being. At every opportunity that presented itself, Dr. Shiwa tried not to feed the students with academic knowledge only but also to advise them on their choice of career before their admission into the tertiary institutions. He vowed to ensure that everyone who came across him must not remain mediocres but deliberate pathfinders in all ramifications.

On that day, as was his usual practice, he started his 20 minutes pep talk or sermon, as some of the students called it. The pep talk was usually after his lecture hour, every Wednesday. Some students from other lecture theatres usually came over to join Dr. Shiwa’s class. This was because of the rumour of Dr. Shiwa’s anointing in teaching. In spite of the short time spent on academic work, his students always emerged in flying colours and they could all boast of a deep love for Chemistry.

On that particular day, he decided to be a little more descriptive in his approach. “Imagine walking on a slippery path…” he said as he demonstrated. Everyone in the amphitheatre fixed their gaze on him, surprised at his novel approach to the pep talk.

“A path designed with the footprints of others – footprints of some that fell and vowed never to walk such paths again. Footprints of some that sunk in the mud but stood up and continued. Footprints of some that almost sank but were able to hold on to an anchor and finally, made it. I want you to know that some never even tried at all. Perhaps, due to fear, laziness or mediocrity...” At this time, Dr. Shiwa’s eyes revealed the pain he felt. Then, he quickly recovered and made a statement that was one of his favourite quotes. He had gotten the quote from a video clip of a sermon by Bishop Oyedepo. “Many are making a living. Only few are making impact and those few are called STARS.”

The students listened intently as Dr. Shiwa spoke. Some jotted at intervals while others nodded in agreement. The theatre was as silent as a graveyard. He continued, “For you to end up like your predecessor in your own path or for you to be successful in trying to create your own path, you must know that for every step you take, you will have to ensure that you tread on the steps taken by those who have gone that way before and succeeded. Doing so will make your path firm and make it easier for you to walk without falling.”

He concluded his talk and instructed his students to write an assignment on their choice of career and to make a list of those who made impact and those who failed on that path. “Write them down, all of them and then, decide who you would love to follow.”

...the path is the way...