Day 4: Someone that inspires me
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven — Matthew 5:16
Today’s post is about someone who inspires me. Inspiration is defined, in this context, as someone that makes you want to be better, more successful and maximize your potentials fully.
At this stage in my life, I am actively learning from a lot of sources and seeking sustained inspiration that will guide me on the road to success, achievement and ultimately, greatness. Hence, I draw inspiration from a wide range of people. However, one thing I look our for, from them, is that they are committed to living out their values and positively impacting their generation.
Among my many sources of inspiration, Ben Carson stands out for me. His life story resonates with me so much. He’s a symbol of the fact that regardless of your background, you can rise to the topmost top, if you’re willing to pay the required price. He overcame nearly-impossible odds as a child growing up in an impoverished single-parent household to reach international prominence as a pediatric neurosurgeon. He pioneered medical procedures in hemispherectomy, intra-uterine (inside the womb) neurosurgery, and separating twins joined at the back of the head, for which he’s best known for. After taking a keen interest in American politics and leadership, he went on to contest for the 2016 American presidential elections. Unfortunately, he lost to Trump at the Republican primaries. Currently, he’s the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the United States.

What inspires me about his life is how his faith in God has been the foundation for the transformation in his life. He underwent dramatic change in childhood from being the dumbest kid in class to becoming the smartest because he was encouraged by his mother to switch of the TV and take a keen interest in reading (an inspiration she received from God). He also dealt with his chronic anger problem which was threatening to derail his destiny by praying to the Almighty God to take it away, and developing a practice of daily reading from the Book of Proverbs. It’s shows that anyone can change their current circumstances by changing themselves through what they do.

He has also demonstrated the validity of Divine Wisdom by pioneering groundbreaking medical procedures in the medical field throughout his medical career, something before not thought possible for a black man. This occurred in the United States, at a time when racism was rampant and systemic. As Oprah Winfrey put it succinctly, “Excellence knows no race or gender.”

His views on politics and leadership are also a stand out point for me. Having read the better part of all his books till date, I can attest to the high level of reasoning contained in them. His ability to bring Biblical principles into the conversation as a focal point for the right decisions that will work and chart a new course for the American people, and indeed any people, is awe-inspiring, especially as I believe that the Bible is the only book that contains solutions to all of life’s problems. An important case study is his views on tax issues which is a huge challenge in the United States with the laws being so complex and convoluted and the rich doing all they can to evade tax. The concept of proportionality and how God used that to establish the tithing commandment is so apt. His views on a variety of other issues such as evolution and creationism, abortion, gay rights, etc are profound.
My main take-away from his life story is that if one focuses on living out God’s plan for his life in faith and sincerity, you’ll never know how God can not only take you beyond your wildest dreams but also redeem your mistakes you thought irredeemable and use them for His higher purposes.
Honorable mentions:
- Bishop David Oyedepo — his passion for God and drive for excellence
- Bishop David Abioye — his humility and spiritual depth
- Barack Obama — his unrivaled oratory prowess
- Professor Kingsley Moghalu — his wealth of experience in public service, academia and business
- Dr Ola Brown (Orekunrin), my latest—she defines a woman of strength to me.
