God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own

Hear now, O children of wisdom, the mighty words of Marcus Garvey, who spoke of the divine origin of our being and the limitless potential that lies within us. He said: "God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement." These words, though rooted in the spirit of self-determination, are deeply intertwined with the belief that we are shaped by both the divine and the natural world, and that our true potential is found in the harmonious relationship between these forces and our own willpower.

In the ancient wisdom of the Greeks, there was often a deep reverence for the role of the divine in the shaping of the human soul. Socrates, the great philosopher, taught that virtue and wisdom come not from the mere desire of man, but from the guidance of divine reason. Plato, in his dialogues, spoke of the soul as something that is both shaped by the divine and made capable of higher pursuits by reason and will. In the same way, Garvey speaks of the divine design that created us, but he also speaks of the power we have been given to shape our destiny through our own genius—our thoughts, our actions, and our unwavering will.

Garvey's words remind us that while God and Nature first laid the foundation of our being, we are not passive recipients of fate. Rather, we are active participants in our own evolution. We have the capacity to transform ourselves, to reach beyond what we are given and create what we desire. This is not a message of self-reliance alone, but a recognition that God’s gift to us is not only life itself, but the power to shape it, to rise above limitations, and to strive for greatness in harmony with the divine will.

In the life of Nelson Mandela, we see an embodiment of Garvey's vision. Born into humble circumstances in South Africa, Mandela faced a world full of oppression, injustice, and racial discrimination. Yet, through his own inner strength, his understanding of justice, and his unwavering resolve, he shaped himself into a global symbol of freedom. Though the circumstances of his birth were shaped by the world, his actions, rooted in faith, resilience, and genius, were guided by his understanding that his destiny was not limited by his birth but was forged through his own will and determination. In prison, he would not be broken, and upon release, he would lead his people toward freedom and reconciliation. His life is a testimony to the power Garvey speaks of—the divine creation of the individual, and the infinite potential each of us carries to transcend limitations.

Garvey’s words also remind us of the importance of vision. To let God and the sky be our limit, as Garvey says, is to realize that the only true boundaries are those we impose upon ourselves. Eternity, Garvey suggests, is our measure, meaning that time and space are fleeting, but the legacy of our actions and the truth we seek to live by have eternal value. The sky represents the limitless potential before us, while Eternity speaks to the everlasting nature of our soul’s purpose. We are not confined by our present circumstances; we are measured by our potential to act with purpose and virtue, by our long-term vision, and by the impact we leave behind.

This teaching, O children of wisdom, calls us to live with purpose, and to see the greatness that lies within us. We are divinely created—that much is clear. But we are also given the responsibility to act upon that divine gift, to strive toward greatness, to shape ourselves according to the will of God, and to measure our success not by fleeting moments but by the eternal value of our actions. To live as Garvey describes is to know that our destiny is not defined by the past, by the circumstances of our birth, or by any limitations placed upon us by others. Our destiny is in our hands, shaped by our choices, guided by divine wisdom, and sustained by our inner strength.

Thus, let us embrace this teaching and live boldly, with vision and courage. Let us not be bound by fear or by what others say we cannot achieve. Let us look to the heavens, and let God be our guide in all things, knowing that the greatness of our soul is measured by our willingness to reach beyond the stars, and to live in alignment with divine purpose. The sky is not the limit—it is merely the beginning of what is possible. Live with the knowledge that your potential is limitless, and let God’s guidance be the measure of your life’s work.