It is so wonderful to see the many graduation pictures
on social media of brothers and sisters graduating from high school and
college. As one step in life is
completed, it leads to another challenge.
As long as we have a purpose or can be guided to a good purpose, we will
continue to grow.
I recall asking one of my African college students did he
plan to stay in America after he finished his pharmacy degree. He
said, “No, I plan to go back home to Africa. They try to bring so many types of medicine to
my country,” he said, “I want to be able to determine what’s good for my people.”
This young man’s determination to take his skill and
knowledge back to his country bears witness to what the Most Honorable Elijah
Muhammad said in Message to the Blackman in America about our
purpose if we go to college. The
Messenger said, “We must give the benefit of our knowledge to the elevation of
our own people” (p. 57). He said, “Presently
in this country, in almost all of the major universities and colleges, there
are thousands of young students from Africa and Asia. Yet, as young, primitive, and backward as we
say these countries of Africa and Asia might be, their students here are
returning to their shores. Their intent
and purpose is to give their people the benefit of their learning” (p. 57,
Message to the Black Man in America).
How can you use the knowledge you have just gained? Is there a problem that you can help solve? As we see this world’s system falling, a
question we can ask is what can I build to help myself, my family, and my
people? Practical application is
emphasized in many of the early Study Guides from the course of Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development. The goal each week would be to use the
information in our everyday lives and report on it for the next week. There are so many areas in which we need to
develop because many in this society are not concerned about us gaining
knowledge to benefit our community. They
are only concerned about monetary gain.
Study this paragraph below from the book, Closing the Gap by
Jabril Muhammad. It gives us an
understanding of the highest form of communication and the highest level of
activity:
“And so the highest form of communication is to speak
on, ask questions about, argue over what God has revealed to His servant. Perfecting our understanding of what God has
revealed to His servant. Perfecting our
understanding of what God reveals increases the level of energy. Hearing it, knowing it, and believing it, is
one level, but understanding it and applying it, is the highest level of
activity” (Closing the Gap, pg. 321).
Let
us “study to learn and learn to apply” and get knowledge for life! May we all
be blessed to find our purpose and help others along the way.
(Dr. Audrey Muhammad is an educator, writer, and
fitness trainer. She is a college success instructor, Adjunct Professor in Technical
Writing and the editor of Virtue Today Magazine, a women's magazine that is
redefining women today with articles featuring fabulous fashions, financial
empowerment, and spiritual healing. She
is available for workshop presentations on the “Power of Words,” “Getting Fit
for Life” and “Goal Setting: Using your Talent as a Tool.’ (Contact her at audrey.a.muhammad@gmail.com or visit www.virtuetodaymag.com)
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