9th February, 2022.

DON'T PUT YOUR LIFE IN REVERSE GEAR.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

In my final year in the university, there was anxiety about where to serve in Nigeria because of how corps members were killed in several parts of North. It was a sad tale those days because everyone feared to be posted to the north. Often, people use their influence to work their posting back to the south. During our final year brethren( FYB) program, on the very last day, God spoke through the invited guest( Rev Biodun Akintayo) that someone among the final year brethren shouldn't influence his NYSC posting. I knew that word of knowledge was for me because prior to that time, God had dealt with me on that issue. Before we received our NYSC call up letter, one of my room mates told me to join him in Port Harcourt promising that I'll get a good job before NYSC but I declined because if it would entail influencing my NYSC posting. He got a job in an oil servicing company even before we did our project defense. I looked foolish but I knew I was flowing with the Spirit.

I spent seven months at home preparing myself for NYSC. I fasted and prayed like no man's business. I worked in a boarding school that period. One of the parents who knew I was waiting for my call up told me he could help with my NYSC posting due to the killings in the north. He was sincere about his offer based on the bitter realities in Nigeria then but I declined. Unfortunately, it has not gotten any better at the time of this writing. I prayed extensively about being at the centre of God's will for my life and by divine providence, God posted me to where I met destiny. Whenever I look back at the journey of my life, I always thank God because I didn't accept the offer to influence my NYSC posting because what I am doing today in ministry is traceable to the encounters and trainings I received that period. Some of our ministry board members and partners are products of my NYSC sojourn. If I had gone elsewhere, I would have reversed my life 10 years backward. I'll struggle to meet up. Lest i forget, I met my lovely wife in NYSC, we served together in Corpers fellowship and we're still serving together in ministry today. The fellowship continues. You know what i mean. Hallelujah!!!

Some persons are 10 years behind in God's program for their lives because they used human effort borne out of fear of tomorrow and anxiety to work themselves out of God's will for their lives. Those who have a sense of purpose don't jump at every offer or opportunity. God has a programme and he has people He want to feature in His program provided they flow with Him. The plan and purpose of God is unchanging but unfortunately, the people who are meant to feature in that plan may be changed or replaced. Whoever walks away from God's will be replaced. Beware of trying to always influence things to work in your favour with human connections. You may influence your life out of God's program for your life. Certain things are destined to happen in certain places but if you walk elsewhere, it may take you a longer time before achieving those things including marriage. Some walked away from a certain location to where they heard "things" are happening but nothing is happening in their lives. Isaac would have missed God if he had joined the bandwagon to Egypt, Gen26. You need to trust God enough believing that He has a good plan for you. Jer29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". God's plan for you is good enough. Find it, discern it and never use human effort to put your life in reverse gear. A wind is blowing, it is the wind of God's plan and purpose. Let it blow you to wherever God has destined for you. It is to your benefit.