What would I write about?

It's been many weeks since I last wrote productively non-academically, and it's been due to many a reasons. Chiefly, that I just didn't begin to type as I am now doing without exactly knowing where it will lead, and similarly to just stated, not putting the ideas I have had down on paper when they floated in my head.

In fact, I have had discussions and debated on some issues I could have written on in the past couple of months but alas, procrastination apparently beat me at several duels. I suppose this is the match I should win to qualify as "best loser".

Ha! Best Loser?! Eureka?

I am a keen follower of football and a Chelsea fan, so I can affirm that why teams desire to win every game like Manchester City tends to do nowadays or the Barcelona of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta days, nothing is as enthralling as winning from a losing position. In football, it's called comeback. Oh the joy of winning games that were deemed lost or considered unwinnable!

Better still, the joy of going on to win an entire competition only after scraping through qualifications as best loser/best 3rd position in the qualifying group. In tournaments of 24 teams nowadays, where the top 2 teams of 6 groups proceed automatically to round of 16, four further teams who place 3rd in their groups also proceed. They would usually have to await outcomes far beyond their control to decide their fates to move on, trustingly.

Similarly, in our everyday lives, when we overcome personal struggles or achieve desires or realize spiritual growth as we aspire unto after moments of lows or seeming incapacity, it is always specially rewarding; the joy is more palpable, and we are usually most grateful.

Further, when we recognize profoundly the grace of God even in our seeming easy victories, it allows us to stay wise - equipped with discretion and sobriety. Thus, we can extend same graciousness to others.

Gratitude is a posture God desires us to always have, to reckon that even though we may labour abundantly than others, it is yet the grace of God that enables us to achieve all and become all that we are.

Earlier this week I read a comment by someone on Cristiano Ronaldo, and it made perfect sense. The individual said that his doggedness, determination and discipline is as much a gift from God as Messi's natural footballing talent and both have individually achieved their football successes by using God's gift.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1 vs 17, NIV)

I also remember a conversation with my Malaysian colleague at work this past week while were going about our post ward round jobs.

He just suddenly called at me Tayo, what does it feel like to be a Father?

Now, I know I can be very stoic, hardly expressing my emotion but when I thought about his question for some 10 seconds. I responded most honestly, stating 'grateful'.

Indeed, I remember even mentally preparing myself for the possibility of having to deal with an initial waiting period before we would have a baby but it simply did not happen that way completely out of God's graciousness, and it informed my Son's name, Toriolaoluwa - A product of God's benevolence.

Indeed, winning from what seems "a losing position" teaches us specially to acknowledge God's grace. It reveals to us our incapacities and frailties, and enabling divine strength. Such victory makes us perfect - with built character, mature and able to strengthen others.

We see acutely that even in self confidence, we must be 'Godfident'- having confidence and dependence on God.

When we somehow emerge victorious after we could have certainly lost a cause, the experience humbles and furnishes us aright. It equips us with temperance, patience and postures us for even more of God's grace.

So dear brother and sister, consider indeed the joy that will event after now, even as you go through your current challenge or low moment. Be assured that this time will only work for you greater faith in God, as you wait it out, because God does not put to shame those whose hearts trust in Him. Consider also the many gifts/grace of God that you have now, and stand, equipped with wisdom - confidence in God and a grateful heart.

Your great joy will come, soon. Amen!