“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him”, Matthew 4:12-23

My brother once had strong political ambitions. Some time at the turn of 2001, he stood the position of Youth Member of Parliament, Western Region. But this was the same time the brother of a well known national politician also had eyes set on the same MP Seat.

My brother, being the finest mobilizer I know of, took Mbarara town, where the nominations were taking place by storm. The first huddle was to get nominated. He easily rolled past this huddle. He got nominated. I recall, that day I was in Mbarara on his ticket and that was my first time to visit Mbarara, the land of milk and honey, as they say!

• Why I write this?

I recall on the eve of the nominations day, my brother had four supporters in the room, whom he had mobilized to travel all the way from Kampala! However, when they saw a handsome younger brother of the national politician and another Bushenyi youth were also interested, their loyalty started shifting. And with politics of the secret ballot, you can never be sure. He invited them to his hotel room and told said to them: “in this campaign, it is either black or white. There is no grey area. You are either in my camp or theirs. You cannot be in both. You cannot have a vote for two candidates!”

Looking them straight in their eyes, he was so clear. “If I have your votes, we will get past this nomination. You are free to eat their money. But remember to cast the vote in my favour. You know the money I have invested in you is more valuable and scarce than the one you may get from my other competitors.”

• There is no grey vote.

You cannot be a man and also be a woman. You cannot support NRM and also support FDC. You cannot be a Catholic and also Muslim. You cannot be married and also remain single. You cannot say you follow Jesus and also follow others. There is no grey area.

And that is what we learn from Matthew 4. The two brothers, Peter and Andrew, left their nets and followed him. They did not go with their nets! They had no grey area.

• That is decisiveness.

It is a critical leadership focus that helps you achieve a lot in life. You are either for Christ or not. Don’t come to Church and also satanic!

Many people ask me what does it take to succeed. The answer is simple: avoid grey areas. If you want to score well and pass your exams, get away from the TV. Sit down. Read all the course materials and more. Look for all past questions and attempt each past question available from A to Z. Then be present and write the exam!

If you want to succeed at your place of work, stop cutting corners. Wake up early. Interact daily with your direct reports and peers. Research. And always go an extra mile over and above the stated tasks. If you want to know people, stop sitting behind the phone screen or computer and go meet people at their workplaces, at Church or meeting points.

That should be your 2020 focus. Avoid grey areas. Be like the two brothers: leave your nets behind! So that you can focus on your mission—fishers of men.

Wish you the best. Visit mustaphabm3.sg-host.com for more insights. And to find out why I am called Mustapha Barnabas!