Thought for the day: Seek humility in our daily workplace or in Christian service
It is reported that 19th century French emperor Napoleon, as he paced the island of Saint Helena, he often mused; "What will the Duke of Wellington do now?" "What will the Duke of Wellington do now?"
Napoleon knew what he had to do; he had to become reconciled to defeat and eclipse and that for him, there was no way back.
As Wellington was receiving and no doubt relishing the adulation of a grateful British nation, the 'Little Corporal' (Napoleon) was learning to live with humiliation. Napoleon had the nous and experience to know that the Duke of Wellington's victory would present him with a situation fraught with potential danger. Would he, brimming with confidence, seek out other campaigns? Would he forget the discretion which is the better part of valour?
There is a Japanese proverb which runs: "Victor tighten your helmet strap". Shakespearean character Lady Macbeth confessed "In the day if my successor met me". Uzziah, OLd Testament KIng of Judah, could have acknowledged the same. Handling success is a challenge some have failed to manage. "Success-bitch goddess" (as English writer H. G. Wells put it) has slain more than the monster failure.
Each of us has sometime, somewhere in our experience known the sweet smell of success. In our daily workplace or in Christian service, we have enjoyed a position of some standing; when that phase passes and we return to a less high profile task, we face the Wellington test what do you do after the battle of Waterloo?
Firstly, give thanks that you had the gifts and opportunities to do good work. John Ruskin, another English writer, wrote: "A truly great person has a curious sense of powerlessness, the feeling that the power is not in them, but through them."
Secondly, keep quiet. Let another praise you and not your own voice. Even our closest friends know that enough is enough of recitlals of past victories.
Thirdly, determine to finish well!. According to a Victorian statesman: "In the book of life, the most difficult chapter to write is the last one." A badly written last chapter steals the glory of majestic openings. Learn soon to shun the limelight!