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But…

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“______________ is a great (or any good adjective) person, but ___________” – Adeolu Akinyemi

Before you read further, I’ll advice you to fill in the gaps above as sincerely as you can with your name. It’s a self assessment, and trust me, you owe it to yourself to be downright straightforward with yourself. Don’t use a not so bad but, search deeply into your habits, your character defects, your vices or whatever you are sure is strong enough to be a significant but. You should have found quite a number now, don’t stop at just one…:)

Let me shock you a bit. These buts that you have discovered about your life are going to eventually destroy you, if you let it grow unhindered. That might sound harsh, but let me quickly intimate you with why I know without a shadow of doubt that that “but” will destroy the lives of anyone that has it, and doesn’t deal with it. I’ll try to intimate you with the origin of but, and what we need to do about the buts in our lives.

Have you heard statements like this before? Segun is a very talented youngman, but he is unreliable. Titi is a great person, but she lies. Usually no matter how good the first statement is, a small “but” can wreck the great achievement positioned by the first statement. You may have come this far with your buts, you were expected to, but how much further can you go without taking care of it?

The Origin of Buts

I believe strongly that the creator of the universe wires us all with different giftings and potentials. We are all destined for greatness and possess the makings of greatness in good quantities, not just in drops. God put this potentials there, and sees what you can become if you harness the latent talent that you possess, however in the same vein there is a negative force in the universe, the devil. The devil doesn’t know clearly the potentials each human possesses, only an idea of the fact that there are chosen people in each generation with specific assignments. He doesn’t know who, so he uses a blanket method. Let me give you examples.

Moses – In the story of the birth of Moses in the Bible (also supported by history and other religions), the ruling power pharaoh who is a type of the devil, feels threatened by the generation of children born in the days of Moses, and sends forth a blanket decree that every Hebrew child less than a particular age be killed. Not forever, but for as long as that blanket can cover the threatening generation. He didn’t know where Moses would be born, but he had a fair idea of the fact that if he tackles all, he’ll be safe.

Jesus – Similar scenario. Herod gets wind that a king was born within the same zone not of his family. He sets a decree to use the blanket method to wipe out the generation of possibilities.

Lesson. The devil doesn’t know enough to attack particular people when they are young, so he inflicts the entire generation with similar problems. He either wipes them out, or places in their hand a remote controlled bomb a BUT – Bomb Under Time. So while a but isn’t something you should have, if you have one today, it’s a good sign, the devil is petrified about your generation.

How the Buts Play out.

I have observed, that a man or woman can become great with a but or two. Your but is irrelevant when you are not yet significant. You do not command sufficient attention when you cannot be identified. Nothing is gained from falling a fallen man – he that is down needs fear no fall. The moment you begin to approach the place of your dreams however, the little but in your life gains power. Remember it’s a bomb in your hands, and the control becomes useful only when the example you will be is good enough to drive a point home. That little unknown and unpopular but in your life holds in it’s grip sufficient power to destroy you… it’s just waiting for the right time. Think about it, that popular guy that got wrecked by this scandal or that wasn’t doing that for the first time, he/she was just getting caught at the time when the news would reach far and wide.

Let’s lay some of them down

Values – If you cheat on the basic true north principles of integrity, honesty, fairness, equity e.t.c. it’s a big but, and it will catch up with you sooner or later.

Bad Habits – Now this is a list that could be very subjective, if i put a list here a lot of people will beg to disagree and create all sorts of excuses for the ones they are in. Well I have only one question to help you create the list yourself. If you had a 1 million dollar race horse that regularly performs and creates passive income for you, will you allow it to indulge in that habit of yours?

Lack of Self control – This is also a big but, it’s usually the starting point of dangerous bad habits. Anything out of control is bad and that includes, food, wine and sex. Interestingly there are proverbs that are a bit direct on these 3.

What to do?

Begin to work on those buts now that you are not known. I like a statement that is attributed to Jesus, he said the prince of this world has come and finds nothing in me. In other words, when his time of limelight came and he was big enough to be made into a public scandal, there was no bomb in him for the devil to control. Nothing in me! No place to rest his foot, no issue to grab, nothing to make a case with. I believe that should be the height of great living, where you can reach the top and still stand tall. Knowing that there is nothing in you that can be used to blackmail you or reduce you to lower standards.

The buts in your life are lurking, waiting patiently for you to become. You are the one, you have what it takes, you are a wonder to your generation, but…

Adeolu Akinyemi

Adeolu Akinyemi

19 thoughts on “But…”

  1. 'Wale Akinola
    October 22, 2007 at 7:34 am

    No comments yet? (LOL)

    Reply
  2. Royal_Prince
    October 22, 2007 at 10:59 am

    Hello Deolu,
    great write up. The “BUTS” are like the little foxes that spoil the vine, or the little leaven that leaveneth the whole lump and SOS 2:15 instructs us to take them out.
    Dealing with them remains one of our greatest assignments as we journey to our destinies and the earlier with start the battle to root them out the better.
    I know mine and it has been my prayer/effort to deal with and get it out of my way becuase it has greatly reduced the pace of my advancement as per releasing my potentials and attaining my destiny.
    No matter how innocous ( or sinnless) it may seem, a BUT is an enemy of your destiny as simple as that!
    May God save our youths.

    Many thanks Deolu

    Reply
  3. babs
    October 22, 2007 at 11:54 am

    Selah!

    Reply
  4. Layi
    October 22, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    I once heard it said that the things that brought men down from Grace to Grass climbed with them all the way from Grace to Grace.

    In my opinion, I want to add that one of all the ways to deal with these BUTs is to get accountable to someone about them. Sometimes, this is difficult cos we all want to cover our shortcomings from our neighbors. I however see this as one of the most effective methods of combating and replacing bad habits. Anyone serious about dealing with them shouldn’t see that a sacrifice too big to pay

    I think I am talking to myself sha!

    Reply
  5. TUNBOSUN
    October 22, 2007 at 2:24 pm

    Layi: You are not talking to only yourself at all.If only one can be courageous enough to reveal your(our) shortcomings to those we are close to,I believe those ‘buts’ already have their grips reduced to less than 30%.

    Reply
  6. Tj
    October 23, 2007 at 2:14 pm

    We cant do away with all the BUTs but we should keep striving towards perfection…
    One other thing in life’s that: a great man is vulnerable to being accused of BUTs in his life that are not really BUTs and if he isnt strong at heart, he could be pressured into believing the unreal BUTs. David was accused of stupidity when he stripped himself to praise God. I believe a great man also needs to know what the world (people) around him see as BUTs but are not. It takes wisdom, courage and sincerity to decipher what are, or are not BUTs in our lives.

    Reply
  7. Tope Akinyemi
    October 23, 2007 at 2:20 pm

    Hmmm….That was great and i’m sure from the very heart of God. I was moved to tears as i read the article and few names of people whose BUTs have messed them up flowed through my mind; they simply allowed things to degenerate. Like Layi said, i’m an ardent believer in being accountable to a friend with similar strong values.

    Dee, you’re doing a great work and i pray that God will strengthen your hand and use you more to uphold values and right living in this generation full of compromise and weak value systems.

    I’m proud of you, ku ise.

    Reply
  8. Peter Oluokun
    October 23, 2007 at 5:16 pm

    Adeolu,
    Thank God for your life,i know God will continue to give you more grace. I must say one of the blessings i have recieved this year is being aware of this website because the impact is not only for the earthly pursuit but enhancing for the heavenly target as well.
    I will like to request or suggest that you should expansiate a bit further on this write up by letting us know “How to deal with identified BUTS” at least your view or suggestions. I believe this will go a long way to help others than leaving each person to fatom how or use their previous knowledge, perhaps shedding more light on ways of dealing with BUTS will produce more result. I remember sometimes ago one of your article where you were sharing how you have been able to conquer the fear of Death, you enumerated some basic steps from it at least i learnt something new, anyway i hope you understand my point.

    @Tope Akinyemi,
    It’s good to read your comment today and it’s quite a while i’ve noticed you comment but i’m sure you always read. Thanks for all your input and impact on deolu’s life, you are the signet of God’s favour on Him, remain blessed.

    @All,
    “Iron sharpeneth Iron……..”, if there is anyone who has gained dominion over an identified but in his/her life please share how you achieved this, what steps did you take, thanks and God bless you all.

    Reply
  9. osadebe obazeh
    October 24, 2007 at 2:56 am

    still on “buts”…

    Biblical King David was practically perfect in every way, BUT made a mistake with a certain woman who wasn’t his.

    and he paid the price.

    so what?!

    that definitely did not stop him from doing his best to right himself with his Creator, and continue to strive to be the best man he could possibly be.

    maybe there is a lesson in this for anyone who thinks so. i know i do.

    Reply
  10. Fola Daniel
    October 25, 2007 at 9:22 am

    Thanks for that wonderful article on ‘but.’ Let me ask you questions about deep seated issues in my heart. 1.)Have you ever believed so much in something that got you into trouble?

    2.) Did any body tell you that visions, as beautiful as they may be, can put people in trouble?

    Reply
  11. evi
    October 25, 2007 at 11:16 am

    this is the most timely article i have come across today. i must confess it was me in quote, but thanks to God and u for this article. within a short period u’ve touched so many areas in life i was desperately praying to God for improvement. BIG thanks for u speeches in DELSU, may God bless and continually keep u for our generation.

    Reply
  12. Ireti Ishola
    October 25, 2007 at 4:55 pm

    Deolu,this is another powerful one.What we donot deal with in our obscurity will deal with us when we attain prominence.It is a lesson for us to all work on our buts.I am currently doing like Apostle Paul-I count myself not to have apprehended but this one thing I DO…

    Reply
  13. Olajide Oluwaseun
    October 26, 2007 at 6:18 pm

    hmmm…Orooo, I really appreciate this write up, cos I know I have ‘BUTs’ (“Sugbon”)..well I’m dealing with them gradually and by God’s grace I will surely conquer my ‘BUTs’. Thanks D and to all my friends out their please mail me some of the BUTs that you have noticed in me.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  14. Gbolade
    October 26, 2007 at 7:47 pm

    Ore…God bless you a million times for this article.

    Reply
  15. emeka okolli
    October 27, 2007 at 8:18 am

    truth hurts…..i know that everones got one or two buts but personally i am dealing with my but and its hard but my sufficiency is of God…thanks deolu.

    Reply
  16. Adeolu Akinyemi
    October 27, 2007 at 3:49 pm

    @Peter

    1. Own up to the fact that the but is a but. The first step usually is to rightly identify that something is not good. Many people explain and justify their buts, they’ll never get out of it.

    2. Take responsibility. It’s not your background that has your back to the ground, it’s not anyone else’s fault. It’s not how far you have moved from what you used to be, is how further forward you can still go. “If things will ever change, then it’s up to me”.

    3. Commit to the process of Change. There is no vacuum in reality, to take out one habit, you must commit to another. Get accountable to someone, draw up an 30 day trail period, convince yourself that things should not continue the way they are. Make it a big issue. Publicize your willingness to change. Take gradual action.

    4. Share your lessons, and help another.

    I hope this does a little justice to it..

    @ Fola,

    Yes… I have been in trouble for my dreams and visions… you can mail me directly if you think we need to talk about it.

    Reply
  17. Gbenguz
    October 29, 2007 at 12:21 am

    How I wish I don’t have buts but I have buts.I confess some buts are very difficult to deal with.

    Going by scanty responses we have on DISCIPLINE and now this BUT, the reality is that this but problem is endemic.

    I will continue to pray about my but.

    But again,is there actually anybody born of woman without any but?

    Reply
  18. Oluwakorede
    November 4, 2007 at 5:35 pm

    I have learnt that admitting my buts (very ugly buts) is ahuge enabler to making things happen.
    Thanks for this piece.

    Reply
  19. OMOZELE
    June 10, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    very important sir. these “nuts” if not checked can ruin a man. in the case of moses, he had to pay avery dear price which i know he regretted. after all he did in egypt with those wonders and atill not being able to make it to the land flowing with milk and honey is a great price to pay. i hope everyone learns from it.

    Reply

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Many hold their audience spell bound with motivational speeches but few care to hold the audience by the hand and help them walk their way to financial freedom like he does. Many have failed at everything they have tried to do but everything he does turns to gold. Read more…

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