Why you need not worry about authentic believers

Tiany had just called off her 6-year relationship with Jackizy. As she narrated the events that led to the painful separation, she wept profusely over what she termed “6 wasted years”. Being a ‘spiritual lady’ and church cell leader, she felt that this separation was a dent to her reputation and a bad example for others. I encouraged her from the scripture and told her that in a few months, she would be happily engaged to the man she was meant to marry. In addition, she would be so engrossed in her newfound love to the point that she would forget she ever had anything to do with Jackizy. I reiterated (with a smile) that I was 100% sure about this and would give the little finger on my left hand, if it did not happen.

Give my finger? Yes! I first witnessed something similar with Pastor Jide Lawal several years ago. I participated in the recruitment exercise of a blue chip company and after going through 6 different stages of assessment in a space of about 5 months; I was informed that I had not been successful in my last interview with Idy. I couldn’t believe it! This was a humiliation for a man of God! As I lamented my ordeal to Pastor Jide, his words were very reassuring and comforting. He said, “Tope, I can assure you that in a few months from now, you will be so busy on your new job that you will forget you ever had such a painful experience.” He was very right, and there is more.

About 7 years after we had that conversation, I was bidding for a contract alongside 3 competing companies, including Idy’s. On the day of the presentation of proposals, my company was first to present and as usual, I gave what I think was a “power presentation”. As I walked out of the client’s boardroom, I saw the representatives of one of the competing companies walk in and Idy was going to give the presentation. As I walked past Idy, I whispered to my colleague – that’s the guy who felt I wasn’t good enough 7 years ago. You can be sure that Idy didn’t recognize me. Days later, I received a call saying that we had won that bid. Wow, life can be interesting! Today, my client probably thinks Idy is “not good enough”. Hmm! Tiany is also currently happily married with kids, while Jackizy is still searching for his wife.

Why was Jide so sure things would turn around for me despite the pain I felt at the time? Why was I willing to ‘give away’ my finger if Tiany didn’t experience a turnaround? It’s simple! The words Jide and I gave could be termed “Word by Knowledge”; a prediction of an outcome based on the knowledge of a person’s life/lifestyle. The scripture is replete with instructions that if we obey as believers, yield 100% predictable outcomes. For instance, Luke 6:38 says – “Give and it shall be given unto you”. I don’t need to hear God before I tell a giver that he would enjoy the giving of others. In like manner, a believer who genuinely serves God will definitely blossom; we can say unto the righteous that it shall be well with him. We can say to him who delights in meditating on God’s word that “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3). Back in the day, I saw that Tiany genuinely lived for God and I could predict her future no matter what she was passing through currently.

Beloved, no one swims with God and goes to the bottom (Polish proverb). A friend of mine recently said to me – “Tope, in the past 4 years I have never seen you worried.” I think he should have observed instead – In the past 4 years, I have never seen you worried about a believer whose heart genuinely pants after God. If God opened our eyes so we could see all that would happen to us in 7 months or 7 years, or preferably, in eternity, I am sure we would dismiss all our current worries. But don’t wait for that; read the scripture to see what God has said and done about your future, and you will experience a peace that passeth all understanding.

Shalom!

– Tope S. Aladenusi