NEVER GIVE UP (1)
NEVER GIVE UP (1)
It was in the year 1989, I needed to fetch water for my grandma and it was also the time to watch Nigeria football match against the Soviet Union; as you know the behaviour of a young boy, I kept my aluminium bucket (the one boarding students used in those days) somewhere and followed other friends to locate a place to watch the match. With all the fighting spirit displayed by Nigeria players, the Flying Eagles conceded a goal and I overheard the commentator saying, “Nigeria’s Flying Eagles we all know always fight back and getting on top”. This was not to be so as by die minutes of the first half, Nigeria conceded the second goal, by the 59 minutes it was already four goals against Nigeria. There I know what has befallen me, water, I did not fetch and Nigeria beaten black and blue; I was busy calculating the kind of punishment I would receive when I get back home. Honestly, I know I cannot escape that. Did I actually escape? That will be a story for another day.
With the defeat, everybody left the sitting room where we were watching those olden days television (the open and close black and white TV set), discussing outside and while I managed to fetch my water to go home and face my own beating. It was not long I heard, “It is a goal, Soviet Union 4 versus Nigeria 1”. I met other friends on my way home, we were saying, nothing would come out of it with the few minutes left, by the time I got back to our backyard just as I was about dropping the bucket, I heard it’s a goal again. I heard the other two goals but thought it was the Soviet Union, but this time, it was Nigeria that scored four goals under 30 minutes. I did not just drop the bucket, I threw it away and ran back to the view centre, everywhere is filled, nowhere to sit, I have to stand. The atmosphere changed totally, young women and girls who ordinarily do not like football left whatever they were doing to join us. The game entered into extra time and Nigeria won on penalty. Everybody in my town, from street corners trooped out playing drums and singing victory songs, it was an unforgettable experience which I later learnt it was named, “The Miracle of Damman”.
Beloved, I do not know maybe you have been mesmerized by the enemies or circumstances. You may be wondering with all your righteousness, activities, prayers and good deeds, yet you cannot still comprehend what you are passing through. The first few months of the year may not be in your favour, no food to eat, no money to spend and nobody to support; your enemies may have had the last laugh in the first few months and you are disappointed with yourself like the way the Soviet Union players were so happy demolishing Nigeria with four un-replied goals and a look at the Nigeria players, some of them were disappointment too; but what made the game sweet was because the referee has not yet blow the final whistle. Your God is yet to blow the final whistle, infact, He’s just starting to decorate you with glory.
Therefore, have determination to succeed, there is still time and you will win if you never give up. What is it that looks like a problem to you, take a cue from the Miracle of Damman, keep fighting and fight to the end. Change tactics where necessary, reshuffle your keeping position if the one you trusted with it is misbehaving. Nigeria made history that year as the only country in the history of world cup to come back from four goals down, the record is yet to be broken. In this year, you will make history and set a new record. Be strong and never lose hope. You are winning if you are willing. By the time, the Lord turn your captivity, it will look as if you are dreaming. It has happened before; it can happen again if you follow the secrets: determination, self-worth, and good fighting spirit, focus on the goal and be a team player. The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto you in righteousness.
Word Affirmation: “And in God’s prosperity, I said, I shall never be moved." - Psalm 30:6 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“ You are winning if you are willing. "
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