CURRENT THEME: New hope for 2013 (Share your feedback with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or share your testimony at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

DAY 22: NEW HOPE ... WITH THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

While laying on his deathbed, a vineyard farmer faced a problem. Would his three sons, who were spoiled while growing up, be able to take responsibility for their lives once he had died? He wasn’t sure, so he devised a plan and called them to his room. Beside his bed, he told them: “There is a treasure buried in my vineyard. If you dig deep enough and at the right place, you will discover it.”

After his death, the vineyard farmer’s sons arrived at the vineyard with digging equipment. They dug from top to bottom of the field, but there was no sign of the treasure. However, because of all the digging, they had the largest grape harvest ever in that field.

Where the boys initially were disappointed, they later realized that their dad taught them a valuable lesson. Success does not come overnight. You have to work hard for it and at times, a treasure can look different from what you might think.

Success requires hard work and perseverance amidst adversity. Henry Ford went through two major failures in his life (one in which he was declared bankrupt), before he built his successful Ford Motor Company. Walt Disney was fired as a journalist due to his lack of creativity before his success with productions including Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio, Bambi and many others. And also the X-Factor and Idols judge, Simon Cowell left school at age 15. He worked hard to survive before anding his first job at a record company. Later on, he used his experience gained at that company to become one of the most affluent music producers in the world today.

Hard work and perseverance in the face of disappointment not only leads to success, but also form and mold your character to become more godly. This is confirmed in Romans 5:3-5: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Do not let failure put a full stop where God intended a comma. And do not try to achieve success without God as that success will only be temporary. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in every season and if you fall, fall forward, using the experience to move quicker past obstacles in your life in order to taste success. Remember that with God by your side, there is little you can not achieve in life!

Father God, thank you for helping me in every season of my life. Help me not to become discouraged, but to trust you in every season of my life. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a radio DJ, freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense, Wysheid-oordenkings uit Spreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms. Visit website: www.benescke.co.za for more information