How who you know affects the trajectory of your life

There is this popular idea in Nigeria that you can only progress past a point based on who you know. This thinking is so ingrained that there are those who believe they cannot achieve much if they do not know influential people.

More so, there is the inverse thinking that those who have achieved things – great careers, money, and status only did so because they were connected to the right people – aka the politicians and the wealthy.

As a single Nigerian girl who recently started a business, I understand this thinking, but I don’t fully agree.

I do agree that who you know matters but not in the same sense. For me, there are two things to note:

1. Who we all know
2. Those around us

There is one who we all know, and he is the one who can propel anyone.

He is the one who took a slave boy from the chains of a prison cell to the opulence of a palace.

We often limit God’s power to change and influence our circumstances and subconsciously believe that a politician, billionaire, and even a social media influencer can do more for us than God.

This feeds into the second point – we may downplay the part those around us can play in our life’s journey.

I got my first job because a friend coerced me to attend a job interview with her. She encouraged me to bring my CV along just in case they agreed to interview me as well. They did, and I got the job and spent the next four years at that firm.

I have heard luck defined as ‘preparation meets opportunity.’ This is cool but I will rephrase it thus:

Divine intervention is a work of faith, preparation, and opportunity.

What I had called an afternoon interruption from a determined friend ended up changing my life.

Know this: GOD CAN USE ANYONE.

Sometimes, the faith isn’t even ours, but we do need to be prepared and willing to take that step.

 

The Commander and the Slave

Naaman was a powerful official in the Aramean army, but he had one major handicap – he suffered from leprosy.

His story is particularly instructive because his healing came through his interactions with a Jewish slave who served his wife.

Naaman condescended to not only listen to the slave girl but took her advice. He informed his king and obtained permission to visit the Prophet Elisha in Samaria.

Imagine if Naaman has discounted the words of the slave girl. Which was within his right. After all, he was a powerful commander of an army; he was a man used to authority and respect. He could have given room to his pride and self-importance (in fact, he almost did when he got to Samaria).

Thank God he didn’t. (see 2 Kings 5: 1-19)

The idea that only influential people can have an impact is gobbledygook. Joseph’s freedom was activated by a fellow prisoner who remembered him after his release. More so, God’s timing and plans are pivotal considerations in our journey through life.

In my next post, I will share four traits that can propel you and sustain your success in your career and life (and it is not your brilliance or networking skills) Joseph exemplified these traits, and so did Naaman.

A Quick Recap:

1. Who you know matters and we already know the most important person – God
2. Rather than looking for rich and influential people to connect with, we should spend more time deepening our intimacy with God. He is our livewire; we just need to be plugged in and tuned up.
3. We need to be sensitive to what is happening around us. Opportunities do not always come in a shirt and tie or driving a Lexus jeep. It may just be the woman selling food on the side of your street who will give you an idea that will change your life. It could even be the friend who constantly encourages you to push past the discomfort and fear.
4. The next time someone informs you that you need to know powerful and wealthy people to succeed, counter it with God’s word. Knowing God is what truly matters. He is the one that turns the hearts of kings. Hallelujah!