No team wins a match by keeping the ball, but by kicking it far away and into enemy territory. Had Joseph never been kicked out by his brothers, he might never have been taken in by Egypt, where he became what he was born to be (Genesis 37-41). Had Moses not been ‘thrown out’ by the mother, he would not have been picked up by the princess into the palace, where destiny began to chart his course (Exodus 2:1-10). Thank God at times for those who kick us out; they merely fire us towards the goal. Sometimes, destiny plays the game in different styles with different balls.
Mario Balotelli, the popular Italian footballer, was born in Italy to poor immigrants from Ghana, the Barwuahs. Constrained by their challenging economic circumstances, especially given the child’s health issues, the Barwuah family had to seek the help of social services, which landed the young Mario in the foster care of Silvia and Francesco Balotelli, Jewish Italians, whose surname he subsequently adopted. Over time, Mario became a very stable and successful footballer, playing for the national team. His biological parents wanted him back, but he is said to have replied to them that they merely wanted to harvest his glory, because they had thrown him out when he was a helpless child.
I see it gratefully differently. Had they clung to him in their poverty, he might since have died in their hands and been justly forgotten. Had they never given him away, he might never have met the Balotellis, nor found the glory he now celebrates. Joseph was thankful in similar circumstances that offended Mario (Genesis 45:4-5,7; 50:20). He also had been kicked out by his own team towards the goal post in enemy territory.
Had Mario, Moses, and Joseph never been kicked out, they might never have been scored. No team wins by keeping the ball in their half of the field. In fact, by doing so, they stand the greater risk of losing, or at best escaping the game with a goalless draw.
Sometimes destiny plays the game in different styles with different balls. Even Jesus got ‘kicked’ out by the Holy Spirit into enemy territory, in God’s efforts to win the game. We read, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil” (Matthew 4:1, New Living Translation). The celebrations came afterwards: “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus” (v.11, NLT). Of Abraham also, we read about a related experience,
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee OUT of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And [there] I will make of thee a great nation… (Genesis 12:1-2).
Nobody scores a goal by keeping the ball. In fact, the goalkeeper who does that risks the referee’s penalty. We are looking at the same ball: I see the fortunate face, you see the bickering back; I see with Joseph’s eyes, you see with Mario’s eyes. It depends on perspectives, on where on the grandstands you are watching from. Balls that hang too long around home often end up in own goals.
From The Preacher’s diary,
June 2014
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THESE RETREATS
The Preacher retreats are usually a special gathering for believers seeking spiritual renewal and a deeper fellowship with God through passionate prayers, intense study of the Word, and lively worship. Previous participants consistently declare that the spiritual atmosphere at the retreats is the kind of deepness their soul always longed for, somewhere every serious Christian (especially ministers) should be at, something that reminded them of the fire in the early days of their Christian experience. Starting from Friday evening to Sunday morning, each retreat is usually very intense but very memorable three days.
The retreats usually offer refreshing encounters of no regrets. Meeting brothers and sisters from different Christian and social backgrounds and relating freely and refreshingly as if you had known yourselves all your life time, is another takeaway that many recall. The retreats are guided by the spiritual principle of cooperate ministrations, giving everyone a room to bless everyone else with their unique spiritual gifts and talents, as one big family.
As part of the personal preparations for the retreats, intending participants are usually encouraged to study a given book of the Bible while also observing a weeklong daily fast from the Monday of the retreat week. Participants break the daily fasts with a dinner, and on Sunday morning, there is breakfast before departure, after a brief service concluded with a memorable Holy Communion from which there have usually come testimonies of remarkable healings.
See you at the next retreat …
For respective retreat details, see registration and contact information on the fliers, and note the other dates below:
Ghana: October 16-18, 2029
Abuja, Nigeria: June 2026
Port Harcourt, Nigeria: September 11-13, 2026
Australia: 2027
Uganda: 2027
Another article that gives you something to chew on and digest slowly. I really appreciate how deeply your examine whatever subject you choose to write on.
Vintage Preacher. Almost always, like a Prophet, the Preacher speaks a right word in the right season to God’s people in need of it.
God bless you, Sir.
Great one sir
Thank you so much Daddy for this great revelation. That sometimes, it is good for us to be kicked far into the enemy’s territory in order for us to score our goals and shine.
Also, that we should count it all joy because the balls could be different but we’ll surely arrive and fulfill our God-given destinies. Blessings
Awesome
Always a moment of deep reflection.
Another divine pill 💊 to swallow! Thank you for drawing our attention to Gods divine orchestrated plans for our lives: some to push us to His Will, while others are to wake us from slumber.
Father, please help me to see life from your perspective, in Jesus Name!
May God continue to inspire you daily! 🙏🏽