SPIDER’S WEB with CHEELA CHILALA
LAST week we focused on the second letter of the word PURPOSE – that is, U. This week we concern ourselves with the third letter R, which reminds me of three words that start with R: Roots, role and road.
Roots: A tree develops roots before it develops the stem and branches.
Roots are critical to the development of the tree because they provide it with the vital nutrients and water. No tree can survive or grow without roots.
Similarly, you cannot survive or develop without roots – and in this case “roots” refers to the values that have shaped you and that define you; for a person without values is like a tree without roots. Your values are critical to your purpose.
Roots may also refer to your background. You were born in a particular place, at a particular time, to particular parents, because God so purposed. Whatever circumstances you have encountered are critical to the purpose for which you exist.
You have Zambian roots because Zambia and your purpose – or destiny – are linked. Also, whatever your exhibit in terms of behaviour, attitudes and world view has something to do with your roots.
Joyce Meyer, the American televangelist, casts some light on the matter when she says, “Consider a tree for a moment.
As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don’t see what goes on underground – as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don’t see the roots.
We just see and enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of u is like the roots of a tree.” Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican pan-Africanist, also says of roots: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
Role:  Purpose is about finding and playing your role in the game of life.
Think of a team. Each person is given a particular role to play, and that becomes the “purpose” of their inclusion in the team. If you are to fulfil your purpose in life then you have to live according to your role; if you are to succeed you must live according to your purpose.
In a football team, a goalkeeper does not abandon the goalposts and take the role of a striker. You have a unique role in life – and that amounts to purpose.
Road:  Purpose is finding and walking on the road to your destiny.
You are alive for a purpose, and there is a road you must take in order to fulfil your purpose.
If you take the wrong turning in life you are unlikely to find your purpose.
If you are supposed to go to Livingstone, you must take the right road.
The moment you turn on to the wrong road you begin to live outside your purpose.
Are you sure you are on the right road? Are you living according to your purpose? Or do you feel lost? You can only succeed by walking on the right road, but the road to your destiny is not an easy one, as Seneca, the Roman philosopher, once said: “It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”
The trouble with the road to your destiny is that it is not obvious or already constructed.
You have to struggle to find it, you have to struggle to stay on it. Steve Maraboli, the renowned author, puts it this way: “The road to success is always under construction.” It is the kind of road which you construct as you make progress, and you make progress as you construct. Real success is only possible when you live according to your purpose.
Do you value your roots? Are you playing your unique role in life? Are you on the right road to success?
cheelafkc@yahoo.co.uk