In 2008, I was a worker/leader at my fellowship while at University. I’m sure many of us know what I’m talking about when I say the work got quite hectic and time consuming. There were church services, awareness, home visitations, drama meetings, leaders’ meetings, etc… I was at church practically every day!
I was also a medical student (pre-clinical) who wasn’t particularly the right mould or fit for the course. There’s a usual stereotype which I wasn’t, so many people didn‘t believe I could make it through medical school. Some people, including my supposed guidance counsellor, actually advised me to cross out of Medicine. To make matters worse, I was also working as a fashion designer.
I eventually had to cut down on fashion designing but I was still under a lot of pressure. Most of it from within, from serious self-doubt and my usual pessimistic bouts. I remember going to fellowship after school one day quite sad, thinking about how I was going to pass after having listened to a lot of ‘negative press’. Then in my heart I started to speak with God, saying “Lord, I don’t know how you will do it but I don’t want to fail ooh! Let these people who don’t believe in me be proven wrong” (including me at that time). Then God told me something I’ve never forgotten since. He said “I’m making a covenant of peace with you. You will have no resit or repeat till you finish from medical school.” He fulfilled that promise!
I was inducted into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on September 22, 2014, with no resit or repeat. Was it all smooth? No! Did I doubt sometimes? Yes! But somehow, by the grace of God, I chose to keep believing God’s report and it did me good. I saw God at work in my life, doing things, teaching me how to read, making learning easy, bestowing favour to me in ways I couldn’t possibly imagine. And he surrounded me with people who challenged and helped me. And what’s more? He added jara! I was one of two candidates who had distinction viva which is oral exams organized for exceptional candidates in surgery final exams. Well I wasn’t picked, but getting to that point alone was thrilling for me!
The Lord is such a wonderful teacher and incredibly wise. If you let him, he’ll lead you. Serving God can never be overemphasized! It simply pays. I believe that is the utmost secret.