TODAY IS AN awesome day as I celebrate my 300th article and believe me, that is a huge achievement and means a lot to me.
If one had to apply to write this column, I would not even make the shortlist based on qualifications or experience. Although I was an average to below average English student, through this article I have been able to encourage many people each week and for that I give God praise. I receive emails from readers here, the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Africa and the region communicating how much they look forward each week to reading these articles. Honestly, I am just a servant who humbled himself and allowed God to work through him, so all the glory goes to Him.
I can’t really express in words how emotional I get when I read some of the emails I receive. Imagine the deep joy and satisfaction I feel when I read this in an email: “Hi Mr Worrell, I saw your column posted on 16/6/11 entitled My Silent Killer in the Nationnews.com. Your story just motivated me to stop with the silent treatment, especially towards my husband. I kept this column for my husband to read; we both decided to stop with the silent treatment since it was tearing our marriage apart. Thank you so much for shining the light.”
I have 455 other emails of lives transformed, relationships healed, marriages saved, dreams fulfilled, businesses started, purpose found and the list goes on, based on this column. Some weeks when I receive these emails, I am brought to tears because my purpose from day one is being fulfilled – just to make a difference in people’s lives.
Once in an interview I was asked what is one thing the world needs and my response was ‘me’. The interviewer laughed in amusement but I honestly believed what I said. I know I was created to make people’s lives better and Barbados is a better place and will be greater in the future because of me and my contribution. But guess what, if there is one thing I am sure the world needs is you. My contribution is only limited in its reach and there are places and people you will reach that I will not.
Never underestimate the value of your contribution or where it can go. Who says your contribution is to inspire Bajans alone? For instance, I released a reggae song last week called Love Is The Answer that addresses how we treat poor people. That song has reached people in Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya and Seychelles who probably don’t follow this column. Always remember, where you are not, you have no influence. I am able to positively influence because I am in people’s lives, most not physically but through my articles, music, Facebook posts and so on.
There are some of you reading who have stories to share, books to write, songs to release, movies to produce, businesses to start, art to produce, that will transform and encourage the lives of probably millions, but because you feel unworthy or not talented enough, you haven’t released them. The song Gangnam Style, which is the most viewed song ever on YouTube, taught me that there is always someone who will receive your contribution.
Let me be an inspiration to you. Mathematics was my strength but God used my weakness (English) to impact the world. Am I the most talented and experienced writer? No. Is my spelling, and subject and verb agreement always correct? No. Do I always know in advance what to write? No. Does everyone agree with my articles? No. But look how far my contribution has gone nonetheless.
Moses pleaded with the Lord: “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” (Exodus 4:10, NLT)
Moses wasn’t the best speaker and I wasn’t the best English student, yet God used us and guess what, He wants to use you. It’s truly amazing what God can do through people who are willing, selfless and who humble themselves. The world needs you.
• Corey Worrell, a former Commonwealth youth ambassador, is director of C2J Foundation Inc., a project-based NGO focusing on social development.
Email: coreyworrell@gmail.com