“Therefore, (…), be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, (…)” 1 Corinthians 15:58

There is a hidden expression of regret behind every “Had I known”. One of the things that sometimes lands most people in situations they end up regretting is lack of patience, a tendency to rush into making some decisions without taking time to assess the pros and cons. oftentimes, it is out of peer pressure or pressing need that some people trade their ideal, conviction and faith for certain things.

There was a Christian girl in a school. Although she was from a poor family, God blessed her academically and she was the top of her class. The year she was due to take her exam, she had not been able to pay her school fees until a few days before the exam. She was very anxious about the situation for she knew that unless the fees were paid, there was no way she could sit for the exam. Taking advantage of her vulnerable situation, a teacher came to her and said: “Let me have sex with you and, in exchange, I will pay your school fees; you can’t afford to miss the exam, being such a brilliant student!” “I can’t do that” she told the teacher. “I’m a child of God”.

The situation remained the same until one day before the exam. At that point, no solution was looming. Her friends who knew about the teacher’s offer were on her back, pressing her to sleep with the teacher. After some hesitation, she accepted the teacher’s offer, slept with him and collected the money which she was about to pay to the school. Just then, the school master came into the classroom and made this announcement “Our school has decided to reward the top three students who have had remarkable performance this year.” The first on that list of the 3 students was that Christian girl. The money she has received from the teacher was no longer useful for her.

A few weeks later her body system changed. The pregnancy test came negative to her relief, but she tested positive for HIV. That’s how a very promising life landed into a real mess. God’s solution was on the way to honor her but lack of patience and pressure from her friend played havoc with her blessing.

Beloved, it is sad to say, but many Christians get distracted at the edge of their breakthrough. May God have mercy on us!