Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned English scientist, once stated, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” The phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” is a metaphor that means “using the understanding gained by people who have gone before in order to make faster progress” Newton drew on the ideas of those who came before him, claiming that his brilliant ideas were not developed in isolation. He was building on the work of those who had come before him. Newton, despite being a genius, recognised that his remarkable results were not solely due to his own understanding.
The Spirit of God empowers us with diverse spiritual gifts in different ways (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). These gifts, talents and abilities come from God. But to maximize them, you should learn to stand on the shoulders of giants. You are not the first person God has called to a particular spiritual office. And as long as the Lord lives and His spirit is alive, you will not be the last to receive the call. As a result, humble yourself and seek out the works of others who possess the same or similar spiritual gifts as you.
If you are a scientist, do not sit down on your own, attempting to rediscover principles and ideas that God previously revealed to Newton and his colleagues in the 17th century. Go study their work. If you are a prophet, do not dismiss your predecessors’ writings and documented works. Everyone builds on the works of others. This is not a sign of weakness. Our Lord Jesus did not discard Moses and the Old Testament in order to start from scratch. Look for role models and mentors that can help you as you seek to maximize your gift. Ademola Morebise is standing on the shoulders of Reverend Olufemi Ogundare.
