Stand Still and See

Disclaimer: This is a long read. If you’re like me and sometimes read from bottom to top, feel free to scroll to the last paragraph for the summary. But I hope you’ll take the full journey with me, it’s worth it.

After a full day of working from home, jogging to keep fit, handling chores, and diving into some extra research, I found myself reflecting deeply. Earlier that day, I had a call with a colleague where we discussed some exciting ideas, and I was already tracking great success metrics from a strategy I recently implemented.

Later in the evening, I caught up with a friend from NYSC camp. For context, NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) is a mandatory service year for Nigerian graduates, with a 3-week orientation camp. That’s where we met. She still calls me "Priest", a nickname I earned for being outspoken about purity and how I carried myself back then.

As I attempted to do more research, I also tried training Siri to play an album I’d just discovered, “Generation Intimacy” by Dunsin Oyekan. Let’s just say, getting Siri to cooperate felt harder than training a lion (just kidding, but barely!).

Now, for days I had been sensing a nudge to write something about trusting God and waiting on Him. But I kept brushing it off. I thought, “Maybe my WhatsApp status update is enough.” Even after I posted something brief, the prompting didn’t stop. I tried ignoring it by writing my “Night Owl and Early Bird” piece, but God wouldn’t let it go. The message had to be written.

Funny thing? That simple WhatsApp post resonated with a few people; they said it was “timely.” Some were right in the middle of their waiting season. So here’s the extended version.

The Question That Shook Me…

A few Sundays ago during Youth Sunday at church, I sat on a panel of six brilliant young minds (my partner and I included), answering questions from our moderator, in a tech-panel style. We tackled every question confidently until one caught me off guard:

“Have you ever felt distant from God? What caused it?”

I paused. I searched for a memory. But I couldn’t find one.

Immediately, I remembered a Q&A session with Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which is also set to host its annual convention; a powerful gathering of worship, prayer, and praise, this August 4th to 10th in Ogun State, Nigeria. Someone once asked him, “Have you ever doubted God?” He answered:

“Never. God has helped me so much to doubt Him.”
Back then, I didn’t think that was a practical answer. But in that moment, I understood it. Because that’s my story too. God has done too much for me, things I didn’t merit, for me to feel distant.

But Don’t Think It’s Been Easy…

Please don’t assume I haven’t had dark days. I’ve had days where I wept uncontrollably, and all I could say was,

“God, help me,” or “God, have mercy on me.”

(Romans 9:16 – “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”)

There was a day I attended a Christian gathering and cried out to God, not for a breakthrough, but to take me "home". I was tired. I felt stuck. I’ve had times where it seemed like just when the breakthrough was near, everything would collapse. I’d retreat to my room and cry out. “Be still and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10) was what I would continually hear.

Yet, I’d find myself asking:

“Till when, Lord? Is it until I’m gone?”

But looking back now, all those moments only deepened my faith. That’s why some people now jokingly call me the “Father of Faith" or "Joseph the Dreamer".

If You’re in a Waiting Season…

Let me say this from the bottom of my heart:

It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel confused. It’s okay to ask God, “Why is this happening?” But don’t let go of the thread of hope, JESUS. Job 14:7 says, “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.” There is still hope for you.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

And Jeremiah 29:11? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

So yes, though it may tarry, though it may delay, though your heart may ache in the waiting, God’s timing is always perfect. And that thing you’re worrying about today? One day, it will be a distant memory.

TL;DR :

If life feels heavy right now, you’re not alone. It’s okay to cry, ask questions, or feel weak, but don’t give up hope. God hasn’t left you. He’s still working. Hold on to His promises. One day, you’ll look back and smile at how far He brought you.