Hello again Greatness,

There’s an amazing bible verse that has got me thinking these past few days. More like the last part of the verse has given me an opportunity to reflect. It says, “but time and chance happenneth to them all.” There are times I enjoy exploring other translations of the Bible, but for this particular verse, I’m sticking to KJV. For some reason, it seems to lessen the pain in the verse. Let’s look at the full verse though, because I believe it adds more context and it wouldn’t seem like I’m here to make you feel dull.

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Summary of this verse, things happen!! I know, doesn’t seem like I’m lightening up the mood just yet, but guess what, there’s hope for us yet. Yes, things happen but “we are not like them who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). You also have to consider the description in the verse, the race might not be to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but it doesn’t say not to be prepared. There are examples in the Bible of those who won just by virtue of being favored, but they were prepared one way or the other. David might not have been stronger than Goliath but he was prepared in his own way and he was favored. When preparing for a race, every runner knows there can only be one winner, yet they prepare and hope that they emerge as the winner. That’s the mindset we should have as believers. I’m preparing for this battle because I know I will win. If something comes to knock me down one time, I will prepare harder just because I know I do have hope.

Time for my confession…… you see, at the beginning of this year, God gave me a word (some of you might have heard me throw this around a couple times), it was “Intentionality.” This year, I’ve been tested in every sense of the word. It was supposed to be a year where I intentionally work on my relationship with God, myself, friends, family and purpose. This means all my actions were to be deliberate, conscious, thought out, and basically planned. Well, while I was getting excited about taking the next steps for my life, I should have also realized the devil was also gearing up wherever he was in order to disrupt those plans. God gave me that word because He had seen into 2021 and He knew there would be so many curve balls thrown my way. He gave me the word not just to have a word to run with for the year, but as a way of preparing me for what’s to come. He knew the devil will come hard for my personal relationship with Him, and that there will be some times of struggle, so then I had to be intentional. I went into 2021 like someone bringing a knife to a gun fight. I had all my notes and journals ready and had all my playlist ready when I should have been preparing myself with Ephesians 6:10-18:

10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. 12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13 So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17 And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.

I went several rounds with the devil this year, got knocked down a couple rounds, but guess who’s back up?

I would have been knocked out without the ability to get back up, but God…….

I lost the will to fight back, but God……

Disappointment and fear almost ran the course of my life, but God….

Title of this post was almost but God… However, God made me look in my room today and I can’t help but be reminded that God doesn’t do coincidences. You see, when I wanted to decorate my room, I wanted to go for things that represented me, so I picked up this beautiful frame that shows my love for fashion as well as my interest in looking good but I picked two other frames instead and they’ve constantly reminded me of how amazing God is.

Intentionality was not just about my actions this year, I also saw how intentional God can be. I saw sides of Him I had never seen before. I ran away from Him several times but He kept coming to carry me. When I asked Him why, He told me I’m worth it. What else can I say, God thinks I’m worth His time. It’s interesting how He interrupted my morning to make me reflect on this especially as it’s a few days to Christmas. In the words of one of our excited testifier on Sunday, It’s going to be an oyoyo (jolly) Christmas.

Have yourself a very merry Christmas and never forget, there is hope for you, even in that unyielding circumstance.

Love you plenty,

Mz_Ola