There is something called, “The Squirrel Syndrome”. It’s often a ‘disease’ of the very talented and creative. It increases activity but hinders accomplishment. It permits a start but denies an ending. The squirrel syndrome makes sure you’re busy but unproductive & when productive, it makes sure your results are outside purpose & priority areas. This disease is often the difference between being busy in busyness & being busy in business! One delivers ‘ndewo’ while the other delivers ‘owo’!
Squirrels are known to be very attracted to shiny objects. They often scurry towards whatever catches their fancy. If it flashes in the eye of the squirrel, then it becomes a new objective! They cannot seem to keep their fixture on anything for long & while on the way towards one thing, if something else catches their eye, they often turn abruptly, and head in the direction of the new attraction, or better, distraction! That’s the squirrel syndrome! Cars kill many squirrels not because they can’t cross the road fast enough, but because they often change their minds midcourse!
Wanderer or just distracted?
It is very easy for a lot of hyper talented & over ambitious people to end as ‘wandering generalities’! They see too many things to do. They have the energy & the skill set for many of them. They have encouragement from motivators. They have a desire for more relevance & visibility. They sometimes feel the burden or guilt of their privileged places. And the result is a hundred & one projects ongoing! They are spread so thin, they cannot be in the place of their divine calling nor focus on their destiny purpose!
Not every demand is within your ambit! You are not called to everyone & everything! You will not be judged by the much things you did, but by the impact of your purpose pursuits! You cannot really be your best at everything! You do not win only by running a fast race, but also by running it in your track! The people that dissipated your energy & distracted your focus, will still, at the end, ask you to account for your mediocrity!
And then this funny labels
- jack of every current trade!
- husband of a million girlfriends!
- activist of every noisy posturing!
- politician of contorting endorsements!
- musician of amorphous genre!
- preacher of mutating doctrines!
- advocate of trending social fads!
The mistake of the apostle
“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Cor 9:20,22
The challenge to be all things to all people is what sent Apostle Paul to prison. He had a calling to the gentiles but he also was passionate towards the Jews. He was warned many times, by prophetic voices, of the danger awaiting him if he takes a trip to Jerusalem. He ignored them all & went. It didn’t go well!
But then, towards his last days in prison, he writes reflectively to the Ephesian believers;
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” – Eph 5:15-17
The message? Don’t be a squirrel! Focus! Don’t let experience teach you, like me, but let wisdom guide you! Live in purpose! Do only things that the ‘master’ Jesus Christ wants!
I pray for you today, that your life will not be wasted! Your destiny purpose will not be aborted! You will effective & excellent in your field! Your results will transcend generations in Jesus Christ name!
Much Love
George Izunwa
Lead Pastor
Note: ‘ndewo’ is Ibo for ‘try o’ & ‘owo’ is Yoruba for ‘money o!’
