What life lesson did you learn too late?
I woke up this morning to the cold in Abuja, and my heart was heavy. Not because of the small troubles of life. Those ones are small. What troubles me is my separation from my family. I have made many attempts to rejoin them, and it has all been _fa fa fow_ – fruitless. And in that pain, God began to teach me lessons I wish I had learned earlier in life. Although I was aware of the scriptures used, the reality of its truth is dawn on me today.
1. I Cannot Direct My Own Steps
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” – Jeremiah 10:23
For years I tried to direct my own steps back to my family. I planned, I tried, I pushed. But I have learned too late that a man cannot direct his own steps. My power has limits. My wisdom has limits. When I let go and let God order my steps, I find peace even in the waiting.
2. Delay Is Not Denial
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time… though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” – Habakkuk 2:3
This is my greatest fear now, because age is no longer on my side. When you are young, delay feels like “it will still happen.” When age comes, delay begins to feel like denial. But I have learned: God does not use our calendar. Abraham waited. Joseph waited. David waited. Their delay looked like denial at the time, but it was not denial. It was preparation. I pray that my delay will not become denial.
3. Yet I Will Rejoice
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines… the fields shall yield no meat… Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.” – Habakkuk 3:17-19
This is the farmer’s verse. Even if the field yields nothing. Even if the flock is cut off. Even if everything I planted for my family seems to fail, _yet_ I will rejoice.Not because things are good, but because God is my strength. He will make my feet like hinds’ feet – like a deer that can climb high places where other animals cannot climb. He will give me legs to climb to where my family is.
4. Though I Stumble, I Shall Not Fall
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24
I have stumbled many times. Attempts that did not work. Doors that closed. Time that kept going. But I have not fallen completely. Why? Because the Lord has upheld me with His hand.That same hand that has held me, is the same hand that will order my steps to my family.
My Conclusion
I learned too late that I cannot force life by my own power. I learned too late that waiting is the hardest work. But I have not learned too late to trust God. My steps are ordered.Though it tarries, it will surely come.Though the field has not blossomed yet, I will rejoice.Though I stumble, I will not fall. Delay is not denial.
I am Adeyinka Ogunrombi, FCA, FCTI — 34 years public sector finance, former Director of Audit, Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation. I now provide consultancy and academic services. My active business in Nigeria is *Topupandgetreward.com* — buy airtime, data and get rewards.Contact: *WhatsApp message only (no calls) +2348054048128*
