Have you taken an
evaluation of the year as its winding up, only to discover you are not yet
where you know you should be? It seems the world is turning over on you;
nothing appears to be working; in fact you come to a state of silently
wondering if there really is a “God” who is listening to your prayers. This brings
weariness to the spirit; pains that most times cannot be shared with others,
but, in your closet, you cry and ask the big question- “how long do I wait?”
Let me share with you
the story of a friend, Prof. Prince, who had to wait for more than 10 years
before God’s promise for his life manifested. I hope this encourages your
faith.
Prince is the last
child of his parents. He narrated how his father told him of a prophecy
concerning him (Prince), at his young age, of how he is going to be the next
most renowned professor in the city and occupying the leading seat of the city
premier academic institution. A very studious, handsome and meek personality, Prince,
was not always at home, but in the library, studying. He loved Further
Mathematics so much that he studied to the level he could solve critical
problems without the use of a calculator. He was doing all these just to ensure
he made his father happy and also for his studious nature because he knew very
well that his father could not afford (financially) three of his children in
school at the same time; two of his brothers were in the tertiary institution
at this time.
On a fateful day,
Prince went to visit his brothers in school just to relax. His brothers, Dove
and Allen, were very happy to see Prince as he was always fun to be with but
they could not give Prince much attention because they were battling with a
mathematical problem that no one has been able to proffer solution to. Prince as
an inquisitive personality asked his brother’s friend what the problem was and,
he explained how a lecturer was ready to reward anyone who solves the
mathematical problem heavily.
Immediately, Prince
thought to himself that he could do it, since he had successfully solved
tougher problems in Further Mathematics. He was given a calculator but he couldn’t
work with that, he was used to using his brain, so, he got into work and just
at the fifth attempt he destroyed the equation. The news immediately got to the
lecturer as people already gathered to see what the “little boy” could do. Conceivably,
this earned Prince an invitation from the lecturer who also served as the Head,
Engineering Department. He immediately offered Prince a scholarship up to his
Doctorate Degree level; what a joy and fulfillment of prophecy!
Prince started his course
and excelled exceedingly; in six years he already had his Master’s Degree,
pursuing his Doctorate. He was absorbed into the department as a lecturer, attached to the man who headed the decision making board of the institution to be his supervisor. There and then he thought in the next three and half
years he would become a professor, but the unfortunate happened; the problem he
solved back then made people sing his praise all over the social media. This made
his supervisor despise him, so, the man who was to be his model to
step into his shoes despised him greatly and hunted for his downfall.
As at the time he was
on his PhD program, different institutions were already bidding for him, both
home and abroad, but he could not go because he was on scholarship, he had to
serve his institution that had invested so much in him. He could not move forward,
his life became stagnant for about 10 years on a spot. He was known, but, could
not attain what was meant for him. He waited year after year for God’s promise
to come to fulfillment.
Consequently, when the
situation became so unbearable he operated from outside the University but
still accepted the man as his master. He became very broke, in pain with little
people around.
Yes! The big
opportunity came for Prince: His supervisor was involved in some corrupt
activities, which video evidences got into Prince’s possession. All he needed
to do was to make it public and that would be the end of his supervisor’s
career and definitely his (Prince) ambition and purpose would be fulfilled. However,
Prince declined doing this on more than one occasion. His friends wondered why
he would do such for a man who was destroying his life.
Suddenly, the “wicked”
man developed a heart condition, he could not attend to his duties again. There
was a meeting at the school senate where it was resolved that the man should be
retired compulsorily so as not to slow down academic excellence of the school. However,
there is a big gap to be filled and, being a very tough man, he had no one
close to him to know all of what he has been doing and this is one of the
conditions to sort for a replacement. Thankfully, there was no other person
than Dr. Prince who had stayed in the mess for about 15 years; without
objection, Prince was appointed as the substitute of his supervisor with an immediate
promotion from being a Doctor to a Professor. This also means Prof. Prince is
now a member of the senate that will take decision on school matters; he became
the head. The horrible waiting paid off at last.
Things to note from
Prof. Prince’s rise and time of waiting:
- · He never saw man as a reason for his delay, even though a man was in the picture.
- · He believed strongly his life was determined by God.
- · He consulted God at every moment.
- · He never stopped doing what he knows to do.
- · He didn’t help God even when it meant “victory” to him
Friend, what is it you
have been waiting for and seems like forever? I know it hurts, but am here to
tell you if God has said it, it will come to pass. Be encouraged, don’t be
tempted to help yourself. Stand in the midst of the wind, He is with you. Your
miracle will be mighty!
“Knowing
that testing of your faith produces patience,
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing” James 1:4-5
(You may find the story
of Prof. Prince - delivered as an allegory- culled from the book of 1Samuel 16-22)
Be
Innovated
Olufemi
Ibitoye
hmmm.. more grace
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