Inspiring Words from Rudyard Kipling

Few days ago, I was with LDP (Leadership Development Program) students, having fellowship with them in their annual retreat. One of the speakers cited inspiring words from Rudyard Kipling, saying:

'If you don’t get what you want, it’s a sign either that you did not seriously want it, or that you tried to bargain over the price.’

At one point, these words seem to place all responsibilities on us. We are responsible to decide what desire we desire. We are also responsible to test whether the desire we desire is truly a desire of us. Lastly, any desire we true have is not free, and we are fully responsible to pay the price. Only by fulfilling those three responsibilities, we will transform our true desire into reality. God seems to work only behind the scene.

At the other point, however, these words convey the truth and the reality of most of us. Often what we perceive as our desire springs only from our lips - not from our heart. Desire that comes merely from lips gives birth to a frustration. On the contrary, desire that comes from our heart gives (or should give) birth to a deep commitment at whatever cost it will take.

May this saying transform and challenge the way we live this precious life God has given us.

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English author and poet. He was awarded Nobel Prize in literature in 1907.