MADE FOR MORE

(Image from Flexx Mag)

"Mtcthewww," Mercy hissed at her phone screen where a news headline informed her about the elongation of the strike. "These people are using us to play football and they think it's funny."

Frustration surged through her and she was not sure who to blame for her predicament. The federal government or the academic staff union of universities. She had spent six years doing a five year course, and these people were still not merciful enough to reach an agreement.

"God, these people are delaying my future!" She groaned in anger. "My mates are already working and building the life of their dreams, and here I am, a victim of circumstances."

"Who says you are?"

Mercy turned her head to see her mother standing by the door of her room. She had not heard her come back from work.

She sighed. "Mummy you don't understand. I feel so helpless. Nobody cares about my future in this country. Nobody."

"Do you?" Her mother asked.

"Of course! That's why I'm so angry at them for using us to play football."

"Well, you're channeling your anger in the wrong direction."

Mercy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I know, mummy. Prayers. I've been praying for the strike to end, but..."

"Not just prayers, Mercy. Your time is not in their hands. It's in God's."

"But it feels like God is doing nothing. Even after all the prayers." Mercy wailed.

"What vision has he given you for your life?"

"I don't understand."

"Strike or no strike, Mercy. Where are you headed in this life?"

The raging thoughts in her head screeched to a standstill. She had never thought about that.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I guess I'm just waiting to see where life takes me."

"That's where the problem is darling. You don't know what you want out of life, so you're depending on a certificate to take you anywhere. Don't you know you were made for more than that?"

Mercy was confused. "What're you saying, mum?"

"I'm saying it's high time you found your purpose, came up with a vision and ran after it. You need to know who you are, what you were made to do, and start taking steps in that direction."

Understanding began to trickle into Mercy's brain. Her mother was making sense. Beyond the four walls of the university, who really was she? And what did she want? If she knew the answers to these questions, she'd know how to move forward, despite the academic strike threatening to stagnate her destiny. 

Silently, she began to think deeply. A passion had always burned within her for helping helpless people, and she had even nurtured the dream of starting an NGO to that effect. She had never found the time or courage to pursue it, but now she wondered. Maybe it was now time. Her friends were more than willing to join her and there many local and international funding available for her dream.

A smile formed on her lips. "I think I know where to start." She told her mum. "It's bigger than me, right now, but it's doable."

Her mother reciprocated her smile. "Always prioritize purpose, Mercy, and nothing will stagnate you."