By Mogaji Wole Arisekola
My mother used to tell me that a woman’s womb is like a commercial bus, where passengers board at various stops and disembark at their destinations. We often mistakenly believe that our blood brothers and sisters are our true family. It’s a misconception that Jesus Christ clarified in Matthew 12:48-50. When Jesus was informed that His mother and brothers were outside, He didn’t respond directly. Instead, He asked, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” Then He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Bible also recounts how Cain murdered Abel, his biological brother. Many people fall into the deception of seeing their co-passengers in their mother’s womb as true brothers and sisters. This is a mistaken impression. If you want to go far in life, go out and make connections. Let me tell you a story to illustrate the importance of building relationships and being part of a network of successful people.
There was once a poor man who, at the age of 40, wrote a book and decided to launch it on his birthday. He had no money to fund the launch, so he sought help from a millionaire in his community. When he visited the millionaire and explained his predicament, the millionaire handed him a piece of paper and a pen and said, “I’ll give you a test. If you pass, I’ll fund your book launch. Even if you fail, I’ll still give you the money.”
The millionaire then asked him to write down the names of ten people who could each contribute 10,000 naira for the launch. Surprisingly, the man couldn’t even write down three names. The millionaire looked at him and said, “It’s not enough to have talent and skills; you must understand the power of building valuable relationships.”
A wise man once said, your network is directly proportional to your net worth. Relationships are a form of currency—a stream of income. Everything in life reproduces through relationships. In life, who likes you matters. Success often comes from connections; people are elevated through people.
Many of us have talents, yet we lack a “cup-bearer” who can tell the king about the Joseph that interprets dreams. Who you know in this life matters. Some opportunities and heights remain unreachable without understanding the power of maintaining valuable relationships.
When someone says, “Turn and greet your neighbor,” take it seriously—you don’t know who you’re talking to. That person could be a CEO or someone influential. Yet, we sometimes judge people by their outward appearance and underestimate them.
Remember, those who crown kings don’t always look like kings. They may never become kings themselves, but they can help you wear the crown. Show respect to everyone, regardless of their status; you never know who might open a door for you.
In conclusion, shut the door of relationships gently—you may need to open it again someday. Value even the least person, because that person might one day be the one to crown you.
And always, your full participation in any group or environment you find yourself in will make a lasting impression when you need that group in the future.
