Many creative and gifted young people today believe they are special and super smart. This makes them an exception to whatever commonsense principles there may be. They don’t need to follow timeless principles, thinking they can bypass the tried-and-true steps to success. Life, however, is a step-by-step journey, and there are no exceptions to this rule. Your creativity, spiritual gifts, and talents do not replace the need for discipline, work ethic, integrity, and accountability. True greatness is achieved not by skipping steps, but by diligently following the path, while being patient.
The Bible teaches us the importance of patience, saying, “He that believeth shall not make haste.” The energy of youth often makes us impatient, eager to achieve many things quickly. However, life has its requirements, and these are not waived for anyone. No matter how talented or gifted, you must fulfill these requirements to achieve your goals. You can attain anything you desire at any age, but you must satisfy the necessary steps and prerequisites. Youth or not, things must be done decently and in order, respecting the natural process of growth and development.
Hebrews 6:12 (ESV) says, “so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” This verse highlights the importance of having faith in your dreams while being patient enough to go through the necessary process of learning and growth. We are called to imitate those who have gone ahead of us. An aspiring inventor, for example, should study the works of the greatest scientific and technological minds of all time. By doing so, you will find models and patterns that have been proven to work, guiding you towards your own success.
