“Grace finds the worst of men and makes something out of them,” so said Billy Sunday. Similarly, C. S. Lewis reminded us that “Grace is God’s antidote to the disease of deserving.”
These statements point to the profound, transformative nature of divine favour, often bestowed upon those who seem least likely to receive it. Let’s reflect on Grace, the force that made something out of a nothing-me.
Do you know that my beginnings were so obscured and blurred that no one could have reasonably hoped for anything unique or impactful to emerge from me? I was a product of a challenging background, marked by limitations and a palpable sense of emptiness, and if anyone had placed a wager on my future, the odds would have been stacked against anything noteworthy coming to fruition. Looking back now across the years, I’ve clearly seen how a singular, undeniable force – Divine Grace – took hold of the nothing-me. It was this force that lifted me out of the mire, systematically cleaned me of the past’s limitations, and began carving a clear, unexpected pathway for my progress, creating a way where there seemed to be no way. This grace wasn’t just passive; it was an active intervention that skillfully connected me to destiny helpers at critical junctures, men and women who poured into my life precisely when I needed them most, accelerating my trajectory far beyond my merit and imagination. More than just elevating me, this grace positioned me strategically, not merely for personal growth, but specifically to be a source of positive impacts and direction to many others, turning my former void into a vessel of purposeful contribution. Even today, as I look at the journey so far, I know it is the unwavering hand of grace that continues to direct my path, shielding me from pitfalls and guiding my steps to a calling far greater than my humble origins.
So, enhance your capacity to receive and embody hope. Commit yourself fully to the journey, regardless of how bleak your current circumstance might appear. To everyone who finds themselves at a crossroads, burdened by a history of setbacks, or wrestling with the painful label or thought of “fit-for-nothing,” I present a crucial challenge: do not, for a single moment, allow yourself to lose hope. The very essence of grace is that it operates outside the logic of human merit and predictable outcomes. The implication is that your present struggle is not the final verdict on your life. Your responsibility is not to manufacture the outcome but to put in your best effort – in your work, your character, and your service – and to remain hopeful in the invisible hand that is already moving on your behalf. Just as the earth requires rain and sun, you must provide the environment of effort and expectation. Be rest assured, the omnipotent God who took my empty vessel, cleansed it, and forged a future of significance – the one who made an undeniable difference in the trajectory of my own life from a challenging background – is unequivocally capable and ready to perform that exact same, life-altering transformation for you. Keep the faith, keep working, and look forward to your own magnificent unfolding.
As you step out each day, carry the unwavering conviction that your beginning, no matter how small or challenging, does not dictate your appointed end. May the reality of this transformative grace fuel your efforts and grant you the vision to see purpose in the process. Live as a testament to the powerful, life-altering force that makes something priceless out of what was once considered nothing. And please join me to thank the Almighty for His amazing grace over my life despite my weaknesses and countless shortcomings.
- Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registered chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo.
He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
