Did you know the actor Nick Cannon has 12 children by 6 different women? The oldest, who are twins, Mariah Carey gave birth to, turned 14 today, April 30, 2025, with the youngest being 2 years old. (There are 2 sets of twins)
Nick Cannon has gone on to accomplish some unique things. Many remember him from movies like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing, Drumline, and Bobby,” but he also hosted a TV show called “Wild n Out, America’s Got Talent, The Masked Singer and even a show that bore his name.” Nick Cannon graduated from Howard University with a degree in Criminology, and even has his entertainment productions. He released a debut album and performed stand-up comedy. He’s won many awards, like the Hollywood Film Festival award and the NAACP Image Award. Doesn’t it appear to you he’s a great picture of success. Nick Cannon is currently 44 years old, according to human standards he’s the epitome of success, or is he?
I would answer that by saying, “It depends on how you define success.” If in the midst of all he’s accomplished, he was in the midst of God’s will, and it is indeed God-given success, he is, in fact, successful. If not, he’s not, but we cannot tell by looking at the outward appearance.
As we dive into chapter 47 of Genesis, we’re getting a clear look at what appears to be the height of Joseph’s life. He’s only got two sons, but he’s the ruler of Egypt. His dad, Jacob, took care of him for the first 17 years of his life, and the final 17 years, Joseph is taking care of his dad. Now, I want to recall that these last 11 chapters have been the “genealogy of Jacob.” It’s actually his lineage we’re talking about in context. The issue is now that he’s come to the end of his life. He’s getting ready to die. When Jacob left Canaan for Egypt, he didn’t know that during this time his younger son would acquire not only all the money of both Canaan and Egypt, but also all the livestock, herds, donkeys, and cattle. Joseph would even acquire the people in the land for Pharaoh, his boss. Now, Jacob didn’t rightly believe he’d get to see Joseph again, but he’s come to experience all of these things, and the bible says in the last 17 years of his life, he is fruitful and very numerous. It would appear he multiplied more in the last 17 years than he did all the rest of his 147 years. Wait, I thought Jacob was pretty successful, God had prospered him to take all the animals he took care of for Laban his uncle, he’d had 4 women and 12 children just like Nick Cannon, but his best days did not come until his final years.
Thoughts to take away:
Even if you thought you were at your height and this was the best of your life, sometimes there’s yet more. Stay in tune with God for what He’s promised, and if it’s not performed yet, there’s more in store. Expect it.
Make sure you are always in communion with God. Something I noticed about Jacob’s life was that whenever he went to commune with God, God was always ready and willing to talk to him. I often wonder if God would have told him Joseph was alive if he had consulted him before Beersheba, heading to Egypt.
Finally, Jacob was both fruitful and increased more so in number in the final 17 years of his life than he did all the years he lived before then, yet he told Pharaoh in their meeting, “My years have been few and unpleasant.” It was at the end that God gave him rest. You’re not done living yet. Don’t forget your best days are still ahead
