The Scribe Eunice

THE GREAT FALL (A SHORT CHRISTIAN STORY)

 Written By: Eunice Iseoluwa Oyekunle

 

My name is Sandra but most of my friends call me San. My parents doted all their care, love and time on me. They were so meticulous about the way I lived my life probably because I was the only child. My parents took their time to ensure that I was sound spiritually, intellectually and morally. My parents were these deep Christians that devoted a lot of time into studying the word of God. They made sure I observe my quiet time, study my bible daily and that habit shaped and formed me even till I entered the university.

 

In my house, we had a very large library where different books ranging from Christian novels, books on politics, Economics and sciences were found. Right from when I was eight years, I had started reading those books that were beyond my class. My parents also ensured that I was morally sound and upright.

 

My parents imparted and invested heavily in me and no wonder why I always have an edge above my mates. I was the center of attraction for every man- the one and only San that everyone wants to be close with. I was loved by lecturers because I was so intelligent. When I was in jss3, I could compete with an sss 3 student and win. I made sure that I taught people about the word of God. Throughout my secondary school, I represented my school in diverse competitions and I would always come back with some accolades and prizes. My name had been published severally into the school magazine and even the newspapers. I was such a champion. I was the tune that every one loved to sing.

 

Fast forward to when I wanted to enter the university, I needed no one to tell me that I should study Law. I knew deep down within me that Lawyer was my God- given profession. Out of the thousand of books that one could find in our library, I found it enjoyable to read books related to law and courts. At school, I had engaged in several debates in which I had received several complements that I argued well. I pictured it in my mind severally wearing lawyer’s attires and defending several cases. When I sat for my JAMB exams, I had the best score in the whole country. When I sat for my ‘O’ level exams, I had distinction in all the eight courses that I registered for. My parents, teachers and pastors were proud of me. Some people envied me while some people hated me because they felt I had it all smooth and rosy.

 

When I got to the university, I received a lot of complements from people that I was beautiful and endowed because I had a very well defined feminine shape. I was dark complexioned which earned me the name- BBB from people, meaning black, bold and beautiful. Several guys asked me out of dates but I carefully and respectfully turned down their requests. I had made a promise to myself that if I would ever be in a relationship, I would rather be in a relationship to a man that I want to marry. Everyone respected me. They saw me as someone with all shades of awesomeness. I was doing quite well in my studies. Right from my first year, I had results which were mind- blowing, results that no students had ever recorded. My lecturers respected me. My course mates and other students loved to be around me . I was that kind of girl that nobody wanted to avoid or resist. I was unique in my own way.

 

In all my achievements, I never failed to acknowledge my God. I knew that He gave all the beauty and success that I had recorded. There is a verse of the bible that would put me in shape always- ‘God detests the proud and giveth more grace to the humble’’. Any time I feel that I am the best human being in the whole world, the verse would come back to my memory.

 

I entered into my final year with the mindset that I had made it. Since the beginning of my 100 level, I had a CGPA of 5.0 till when I got to 500 level. I was very happy and excited as I became nostalgic about all my past achievements. I felt that I shouldn’t stress my since I was already in my final year. The time that I always used to study, I replaced it with hanging around friends. I started joining the gossips so much that my prayer life was getting cold already. In also overslept which led to my skipping my quiet time. My prayer life was greatly weakened as I couldn’t pray nor study the word of God. I couldn’t listen to the word of God too.

 

Exam periods came and I entered into the exam hall with overconfidence. When the second semester result came out, I wasn’t agitated because I was excepting my 5. 0. As usual, my friends were always the one that checked my result on the notice board whenever the result was released but I didn’t receive any phone call. It was so unusual. No one told me to check my result before I did. When I got to the notice board, people were unusually many. They were obviously discussing about BBB. When I checked for my matric number, what I saw was unbelievable. I shone my eyes very well so that I would try and see the correct grades. Out of the six courses that I registered for, I had an A, three c’s and two f’s. I was baffled. I had goosebumps immediately. Those that looked up to me and admired me spread rumours that flew around the campus. I had a few friends who consoled me.

 

It wasn’t a funny experience at all. When I told my parents about the result, they were very sad and unhappy. What my result meant was that I was going to carry over two courses. I also wouldn’t be able to proceed to Law school. For several weeks I was so depressed. My friend, Judith stayed by me during the periods.

 

I retraced back my steps. I remembered how I had missed it. I discovered how I subtly fell into pride and carelessness. I judged my past success with my present future. I removed my life from the Source of my life, the One who had been the source of my achievement right from when I was young. It was indeed a great fall as I had to sit with my juniors during examinations. The same juniors that took me as their mentor. I was embarrassed. I was depressed. I had never had a taste of failure but then.

 

During my convocation ceremony, my parents sent money to buy all the things that I would need. They were not going to come. I was heartbroken. My parents who had always taken every of my ceremonies high suddenly showed lack of interest. I attended the convocation ceremony even though my name didn’t appear in the convocation list.

 

The results of the two papers I carried over came out and I had A’s in both of them. I was happy that I was going to law school soon. I was also happy that God allowed me to learn my lessons in the hard way.

 

I am happy to say that amidst all the good experiences that life had offered me, I was able to learn the biggest lesson of my life that, ‘’when Jesus is out of your life, be ready for a great fall!’’

 

Another lesson that I learnt is that failure isn’t the end of life, its an opportunity to reveal your mistakes and correct it. That you failed doesn’t make you a failure, It is an opportunity for you to try harder. That you failed means that you are making efforts and your reactions after each failure will either make or mar your future.

 

I checked through my book- ‘’THE GREAT FALL’’. I was so happy for the first time that I had a record of failure. Assuming I hadn’t failed, I wouldn’t have written that book which had been a blessing to people and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to use my own life experience to encourage people that are in the state that I was. No wonder the psalmist says, ‘ Though I fall seven times, I will rise.’’

 

The fall of a man is not his end- if he rises again!

 

(Purely fictional)

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I hope that we have been greatly encouraged by this short piece. Kindly leave your comment in the comment box. Thank you for reading to the end.