17/02/2026
The Burden of the Dream: Are You Truly Ready for What You Desire?
Before you keep wishing, desiring, and insisting that you cannot do anything else unless you get that one specific thing in life, you have to be absolutely sure. You must be certain that this prize you are chasing is truly worth it.
Too often, people are unaware of the hidden costs—the sheer level of effort, resources, and sacrifice—that go into achieving great aspirations and dreams.
Consider the young students sitting for their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. They aim to get into a top institution to study a prestigious course, let’s say Law. They convince themselves that there is no alternative; they feel they cannot take any other course or pursue any other path. They wish, pray, and pour every ounce of effort into securing that admission.
But the truth of the matter is this: Are you really sure that this is what you want?
When that opportunity finally arrives, will you pursue it with the intensity it demands? Many of us remain ignorant of the level of pain, work, sweat, and deep thought required to chase our goals until we actually start. It is only when we are given the opportunity that we see the true weight of the effort required. That is when the question arises: Do I really want this?
Think of the artist currently in an obscure environment, writing songs and perfecting their craft. They dream of the big stage, of playing music to millions, of thousands of people screaming in an arena. It sounds like a blast, but it comes with its own unique challenges.
Success on that scale robs you of your privacy. Everywhere you go, you no longer have a private life; the paparazzi are all over you. The simple freedoms that an average person enjoys—and takes for granted—are suddenly gone.
So, the essence of my message is simply this: Do you really want what you want?
Some say, "I want to be a man of God. I want to minister, take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, and bring salvation."
That is noble. But are you ready to go through the pains? Are you ready for the endless fasting and the prayers? Are you ready to "beat your body" into submission and maintain the high level of consecration needed for such work?
Others say, "I want to be a doctor. I want to save lives, contribute my quota to the community, and serve the nation."
But when you are finally done with medical school, having done everything required to become a professional, you step into the reality of the job and ask yourself, "Is this really what I signed up for?"
This thought weighs heavily on my mind. Most of the time, we gravitate toward these goals because our minds have become saturated with them over time. We reach a point where we cannot think of anything else; we become "passionate" about it.
But often, it is not until that thing is finally handed over to us that we discover the true cost of the dream.
