Lessons from Khaya
I've always been fascinated by Khaya (without reason except maybe that he was short and making it in life, someone to look "up" to being one who's labeled as short and stuff), but after reading his memoir (To Quote Myself), I have more than enough reason. I can't shut up about the book, much to the pain of those around me; I even preached about it to my youth group on Friday.
I'm not going to review the book, nor am I going to tell you everything about it (you have to read it yourself). I just want to focus on one or two things that stood out to me.
I laughed so hard I nearly choked reading his retelling of Bible stories. (He's extremely funny and it makes reading his work a breeze). Khaya (I don't use his last name cause I feel like I know him like that, he retweeted and favourited my tweets so lets not argue) describes himself as "a Christian, albeit a naughty one." Aside from his funny take on the Bible, I loved that he valued his Christian beliefs because of how they pulled him through his toughest times in life. I also liked how his relationship with the church he served in (Jubilee Community Church) was also the one to help him up on his feet when he finally opened up to receive help.
He has a personal testimony of what his faith has got him through and in my opinion that's something no one can take away from him, something no one can talk him out of believing. Many people are Christians because they were brought up that way, because it's what they were taught. But true faith can't be transferred from one to another, only lived out in such a way that the other comes to make their own decision pertaining that faith. Remember Ruth and Noami? Nowhere do we hear Naomi forcing the God of Israel down the throat of the young Moabitess but we hear this young lady making a bold declaration in Ruth 1:16 showing that, unlike Orpah, she had observed and learnt from Naomi's faith and now took a conscious decision to make the God of Noami her God too.
Another thing that I learned and loved from Khaya is his tenacity in pursuing what he wants. I marvelled at his courage as he maneuvered his way into the AAA School of Advertising. His ability to think on his feet, just great. It's also great to see that he didn't allow his detour (working in restaurants) to distract him from his destiny (advertising). Then once he started out in his advertising career, the manner in which he made sure he was constantly learning and gaining was a new revelation to me. He refused comfort, refused salary increases he felt he didn't deserve, he took great leaps of faith in his applications and interviews, risks even, but they all worked to get him where he is today.
He fully comprehended that he was at the best stage of his life to learn, learn and learn. He seized every opportunity to do just that, even created a few. He didn't allow people's feelings or his own to get in the way (having to resign from companies that treated him well and where he'd built relationships). His story somewhat reminded me of Joseph who didn't allow the obstacles he came across to wipe out his dream. In fact, those difficult years built him up to be the leader of great character we finally find him to be after a "few" years of endurance.
Khaya reminded me a truth I've always believed in: there are no formulas in life. No fixed patterns to guarantee success. You can make it without a degree, you can make it without the perfect family, without the favorable background. All you need is a little faith, a little support here and there and a whole lot of perseverance (and no, that's not a formula).
I'm not going to review the book, nor am I going to tell you everything about it (you have to read it yourself). I just want to focus on one or two things that stood out to me.
I laughed so hard I nearly choked reading his retelling of Bible stories. (He's extremely funny and it makes reading his work a breeze). Khaya (I don't use his last name cause I feel like I know him like that, he retweeted and favourited my tweets so lets not argue) describes himself as "a Christian, albeit a naughty one." Aside from his funny take on the Bible, I loved that he valued his Christian beliefs because of how they pulled him through his toughest times in life. I also liked how his relationship with the church he served in (Jubilee Community Church) was also the one to help him up on his feet when he finally opened up to receive help.
He has a personal testimony of what his faith has got him through and in my opinion that's something no one can take away from him, something no one can talk him out of believing. Many people are Christians because they were brought up that way, because it's what they were taught. But true faith can't be transferred from one to another, only lived out in such a way that the other comes to make their own decision pertaining that faith. Remember Ruth and Noami? Nowhere do we hear Naomi forcing the God of Israel down the throat of the young Moabitess but we hear this young lady making a bold declaration in Ruth 1:16 showing that, unlike Orpah, she had observed and learnt from Naomi's faith and now took a conscious decision to make the God of Noami her God too.
Another thing that I learned and loved from Khaya is his tenacity in pursuing what he wants. I marvelled at his courage as he maneuvered his way into the AAA School of Advertising. His ability to think on his feet, just great. It's also great to see that he didn't allow his detour (working in restaurants) to distract him from his destiny (advertising). Then once he started out in his advertising career, the manner in which he made sure he was constantly learning and gaining was a new revelation to me. He refused comfort, refused salary increases he felt he didn't deserve, he took great leaps of faith in his applications and interviews, risks even, but they all worked to get him where he is today.
He fully comprehended that he was at the best stage of his life to learn, learn and learn. He seized every opportunity to do just that, even created a few. He didn't allow people's feelings or his own to get in the way (having to resign from companies that treated him well and where he'd built relationships). His story somewhat reminded me of Joseph who didn't allow the obstacles he came across to wipe out his dream. In fact, those difficult years built him up to be the leader of great character we finally find him to be after a "few" years of endurance.
Khaya reminded me a truth I've always believed in: there are no formulas in life. No fixed patterns to guarantee success. You can make it without a degree, you can make it without the perfect family, without the favorable background. All you need is a little faith, a little support here and there and a whole lot of perseverance (and no, that's not a formula).
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