Saturday, June 24, 2006

Thou preparedst a table before me

I've learnt one thing from the ongoing world cup that I don't think will evaporate from my memory in a very long time. That thing is so great that not knowing it can cripple one's life and make one's work useless at the end of the day.
When a child is being brought up, he/she is taught to work hard and always make sure he/she is alert to make use of opportunities, and most of all aspire big. Many books have been written encouraging people to use their mental faculties to think big and grow rich, be an highflyer in all that one does, always look towards the grass that's always greener in another man's yard. Only a small amount of energy is dissipated in teaching people about the concept of divine timing; when some things will happen at the appropriate time.
Every one of us is living in the microwave world now; everything must be gotten quickly and in the shortest possible time. Biography of the young man whose state of mind & being is controlled by the enticing thoughts of breaking sharp and fast into so great success that he has become something like a prophet whose frame of mind is as unpredictable as an hurricane. Now he's nigh, then he's afar off!
Michael James Owen's career has really blossomed and he should thank God for all that he has been able to achieve. Once he was the wonder kid of England that was very much talked about. He had a wonderful time at at Liverpool. But he always wanted a place where everything was set, only for him to come in and put in small energy for him to outshine.
He left the club that he achieved prominence (Liverpool) for Real Madrid in search of Champion's League trophy. He didn't want to stay there and help them slug it out until they win it. He wanted "though preparedst a table before me" kind'a situation. Just get there and grab the day. There's an addage in my place that says you didn't strike the palmtree with a matchet, neither did you shoot an arrow at the palm gourd storing the palmwine being extracted at the top of the tree, you stand at the bottom mouth agape expecting the gourd to drip. It doesn't freely drip.
Some say it's ironic, some say it's just bad luck, the moment he left Liverpool for Real Madrid was when Liverpool won the Champions League. Real Madrid hasn't won any title since then. Even the league! News that Robinho, the then teenage sensation (though he's not done anything to prove his tag), was on his way to Real Madrid already destabilised Owen. He couldn't just stand ne notion of working to earn a position. He concluded he wasn't gonna be able to grab a permanent shirt there.He immediately wanted to go back home. His excuse this time around is that he wanted to go to the world cup, and to do this he needed to play regular football. He already concluded he wasn't gonna be able to prove his mettle with Robinho's presence. He went to lacklustre Newcastle. Robinho has since not been able to do any magic since he arrived Real.
If not for good old Alan Shearer who was on his way out, he wouldn't have been able to get there. Liverpool didn't wanna take him back.
Do you realise that it's possible that Owen might not win the Champion's League trophy in his entire playing life (Maybe he might if he retires to become a coach)? He wanted to be at the world cup, but he spent only 2 mins, and was stretchered out to be out of action for 5 months. Even if the world cup is suddenly paused and turned to Paraworld cup (just like the Paralympics - a game where paralysed people play football), and all the able-bodied men are sent home to be replaced by physically challenged ones, he'll still not be able to play. This might also be the last world cup for the 26 yrs old striker.

Michael has forgotten that there's divine timing and grace. NOTHING HAPPENS WITH THE EFFORT OF MAN ALONE. If God says you won't get to the other side don't bother climbing the pawpaw tree beside the fence.
The moral is that you can work to make a difference where you are. Change your position to suit your desire and aspiration. Rome wasn't built in a day.If you have read SAME PLACE by Mary Arasanmi, try 2 get it. It's insightful and encouraging.

Que Sera, Sera.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are right is not how far but how well.We can't be everywhere at the same time so we need to do what we have the capacity of doing or that which we are given the grace to do.

Anthony Arojojoye said...

Thank you bro.
Good to know that you've also taken to blogger.com. It's the next best thing.

chrome said...

owen's situation is so sad for such a talented player. it aint over yet and he may still return. smart guy though. got a law degree and well prepared for his future, whatever it yields.

Morountodun said...

I have a lot of sympathy for Michael Owen. He has made a couple of unfortunate decisions in his career (why go to Newcastle?)but hopefully he will bounce back.

Anonymous said...

this is highly insightful,the dry bones can still rise.i stronggly beleive in divine timing and guidance.A man can loose his if he doesnt understand the time and season he is in.
tony u are a genuis!
keep it up