“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skilful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” — Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NLT)
I’ve come to learn that life happens in phases, and each of us has our own seasons. Like scripture says, the fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the wise sometimes go hungry; It all comes down to time and how we respond to the opportunities it presents.
Let me share a recent Lagos story with you.
I was on my way to see a client in Yaba. After fueling my car at Palmgrove, I got to the intersection where I had to decide whether to take the fast lane (the express) or stay on the service lane. As I weighed my options, I noticed the fast lane looked a bit jammed while the service lane seemed free. So, I thought, “Why not? Let me stick to the service lane. That’ll get me there quicker.”
Well… less than 800 meters in, I hit traffic. And not the usual Lagos “go-slow” this one was a standstill! I sat there for 15 minutes straight, frustrated. Of course, as a typical Lagos driver, I looked over to check how the fast lane folks were doing. To my surprise, the road was now free! Ahh… you can imagine my face in that moment. I thought I had made the smart choice, only to regret it later.
But here’s the twist: after sulking for a while, the service lane suddenly opened up, and I continued my journey smoothly. When I looked back at the fast lane, it was jammed again.
That was such a picture of life. Sometimes we think someone else’s path is better, faster, or easier. Other times we may feel stuck while it seems like everyone else is making progress. But in the end, our lane, though it may seem inconvenient, often turns out to be the safer and better route for us. What we don’t see is that a supposed delay might actually be saving us from potential harm, because a lot can happen in just 15 minutes.
In that moment, God reminded me: we are all on a journey with a destination in mind. Everyone is going somewhere, but not necessarily to the same place. Our destinations are different, and so are our paths. For instance, someone heading to Fadeyi would arrive before me who was going all the way to Yaba. That doesn’t mean my journey is invalid, it simply means my path is different.
There’s a Yoruba proverb that says: “Asure tete o ní kọja ilé, arin-gberé o ní sun ṣona.”
In other words, everyone will get to their destination in due time.
Think of a child who starts walking at 15 months instead of the expected 12 months. By the time that child is 5 years old, no one cares if the child was three months late to the walking party or three months early. Can the child walk? That’s all that matters.
The same is true for us: whether you’re Mr. “Slow and Steady” or Miss “Fast and Furious,” what matters most is not the pace, but the posture of our heart on the journey to our God-ordained destination.
We are all at different stages: some are close to the finish line, some are halfway, others are just starting. But wherever you are, you must guard your heart and maintain the right posture. From my little Lagos traffic moment, I realized there are 3 things we shouldn’t do on the journey of life. These three flow into one another, and if you don’t check them, they’ll derail you.
- Don’t Compare — (a reflection of Ignorance)
Galatians 6:4–5 (ERV)
“Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours.”
Comparison is a thief of joy. When you compare, you assume you know someone else’s destination and journey, but you don’t. You don’t have the full story. You may wish you were in their shoes, but the truth is, their path comes with its own struggles you might not survive.
Instead of measuring yourself against others, embrace your own lane with gratitude. Trust that God is in your story and that his timing for you is perfect.
2. Don’t Complain — (a reflection of Ingratitude)
Philippians 2:14 (ERV)
“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
Complaining is playing the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” game, rehearsing what could have been. But when you complain, you are really doubting God’s goodness, His wisdom and His promises.
God is unchanging, He knows what He’s doing, and He sees what you cannot see. Complaining won’t change your situation; it only makes your heart heavier. Gratitude, on the other hand, shifts your perspective and helps you see delays not as denials, but as divine timing.
3. Don’t Compromise — (a reflection of Folly)
Psalm 119:2–3 (NLT)
“Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.”
Comparison is lowering your godly standards in order to take a shortcut, fit in, or avoid pressure. When you start wishing for another person’s journey, you risk stepping outside God’s will. And here’s the danger: comparison often leads to complaining, and complaining can push you into compromise.
Think of it this way: it starts in your thoughts (you compare in your mind), then it shows up in your words (you complain with your mouth), and moves into your actions (you compromise with your choices). That’s why it’s so important to guard your mind, your speech, and your choices, because one easily flows into the other.
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds.
So, stay faithful. Hold your ground. It’s better to arrive slowly with integrity than to arrive quickly with regrets.
Life is not a competition. It’s a journey with God. Time and chance will happen to us all, but what truly matters is how you posture your heart while you wait.
So remember:
- Don’t compare.
- Don’t complain.
- Don’t compromise.
Instead, trust God’s timing, stay in your lane and embrace your journey with joy.
Shalom!
Abisola Oguntunde
IG: @abisolaoguntunde
Push Buttons is a weekly devotional of The Powerpoint Tribe.