Crisis or Opportunity? Lessons From COVID-19 and Beyond

In Chinese, the word for crisis (危机) is famously said to also mean opportunity. Is that linguistically accurate? Eh, not really—but let’s not ruin a perfectly good motivational quote with facts. Because in life, it does feel true: every crisis brings with it a hidden opportunity.

Take Covid-19 for instance. Some people saw only lockdowns, masks, and hand sanitizer shortages. Others saw opportunities—Zoom exploded, online delivery boomed, even politicians discovered new ways to look heroic (or clueless) on live TV. The world learned that toilet paper could be worth more than gold in the right circumstances.

For me, every crisis I’ve faced has been a turning point—an invitation to shift, rethink, or just stop eating free office snacks like it was my last supper.

So here’s the big question: what opportunities did Covid-19 bring us?

• For some, it was time with family (and a reminder why family WhatsApp groups should have a mute button).

• For others, it was the chance to start side hustles, TikTok empires, or the noble art of baking sourdough.

• And for many, it was the first time they seriously asked: “What if there is a God—and what does He want from me?”

Remember that old saying: “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” When we hit the wall, it might be the perfect moment to finally look up.

The Bible tells us Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days before his answer came. Okay, but let’s keep it real—haven’t you also prayed, fasted, or at least begged for Wi-Fi to come back? Didn’t you sometimes get answers? Even if it wasn’t from heaven, at least from Safaricom or Airtel?

Now imagine this: what if, instead of endlessly scrolling, we used moments of crisis—pandemics, inflation, wars, or just daily stress—to actually pray? Not fancy, long-winded prayers, but simple ones. Honest ones. The kind that says: “God, I’m lost. Show me the way.”

Scientists will keep researching, leaders will keep making decisions, and yes, presidents will keep campaigning like it’s a sport. But you and I? We can actually add something to the equation—a cry to God.

Here’s the funny part: with over 400 religions on earth, it might mean 400 different prayers being shouted upwards. Who knows which one gets picked up first? Hopefully, we don’t find out that the right one was prayer #399.

But maybe, just maybe, the whole setup is intentional. That crisis—be it Covid-19, personal failure, or global chaos—is just an opportunity disguised as disaster. An invitation to turn, reflect, and connect.

Because when the president goes, the markets collapse, or the world shuts down, one thing remains: the chance to seek God. And maybe, that’s the only opportunity that never expires.

Let’s just pause and ponder this for a second. Since we have more religious people on earth than non-religious, what did they honestly think their Creator was doing when COVID hit us?

Do you think He sat back, crossed His arms, and said, “Good luck, mortals. Don’t forget to wash your hands”? Do you think He was ignorant of what was happening? Or maybe—just maybe—He was trying to show us something bigger.

Think about it: the whole world was on lockdown. Planes grounded. Nightclubs empty. Even your nosy neighbor couldn’t come to gossip because movement was restricted. Suddenly, families were forced to sit together at the same dining table (some for the first time in years). Nature started healing itself while humans stayed indoors—oceans got clearer, animals roamed streets, and the air quality improved.

So maybe the “opportunity” inside the “crisis” was not just about business, politics, or survival. Maybe it was God’s way of reminding us: You’re not in control. You’re fragile. And you need to rethink your priorities.

 

 

 💡 By the Way

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too 

How Much Suffering Before We Seek God?

How much suffering did man have to undergo before the whole of humanity decided to seek God out and let Him take charge? That was one query the Supreme Being might have been asking His minders often—if He exists, of course.

He introduced recessions, and we bounced back. He introduced AIDS and cancer, and we still kind of bounced back. Then He brought Covid-19, and the jury was still out on that one. Each time we survived, but never stopped to ask the harder question: Does God exist, and if so, why does He allow suffering?

We clearly couldn’t solve our own problems. Even after the world had been made a small village—courtesy of the Supreme Being, perhaps—we still couldn’t see beyond our egos, pride, cultural and religious affiliations. While Covid-19 ravaged the world, nations were more concerned with shipping back their citizens from troubled spots. Ironically, that very flight mentality is what helped import the virus to many countries. If God controls everything, was this another reminder of our weakness?

So, at what level would the world get desperate enough to seek the Supreme Being, in whatever religion or form He exists? That was, and still is, the big question in the Maker’s Abode.

Perhaps our Creator really wants us to launch a fact-finding mission. He may have wanted us to put everything on the table and devise a true test of finding God. We had done countless lab experiments on animals and plants, made startling discoveries in medicine and technology, but never once tested who was worshiping the right God. If we are so obsessed with proof of God, maybe calamities are His way of flipping the question back on us.

It would have been easier to answer is God real if only one person existed on earth. That lonely soul would eventually cry out to something higher, simply out of desperation. But with six and a half billion people, spread across diverse religions, sects, and belief systems—it may take nothing short of a miracle. And our Creator surely knows that too well.

Man is strange. He fools the chicken into thinking he has its best interests at heart, while planning dinner. The chicken might also be fooling something else, which in turn might be fooling its own prey. But who said the cycle started with man? Maybe man himself is the one being fooled. Why not? Think about it.

These calamities we face—recessions, cancer, plagues, climate change—might just be tools our Creator uses to reconnect us with Him. Yet every preacher and prophet of doom claimed they saw Covid-19 coming. What was it meant to solve? What have we learned? Most people were simply trying to stay alive. Until the next disaster comes, whether another pandemic or a global heatwave, will we finally decide to take desperate, meaningful measures to seek the truth?

So let’s cut to the chase. Is God there? Yes or no. And more importantly—does God exist in a way we can truly find Him? The answer might not be in books, grenades, or guns. But there is a way.

Watch this space.

We better cut to the chase? Is God there? Yes or no! Heck is there a way for  to find out.  Yes there is . Watch this Space!

 

 💡 By the Way....

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too 

 

Living in 2025: Lessons We Can’t Ignore

Every new year feels like a reset button. But here in 2025, it’s clear that life doesn’t really reset. Our past—our mistakes, our curses, even our generational baggage—keeps showing up like an unpaid debt.

Many people think the big battles are out there—politics, pandemics, global rivalries, or economic storms. We see America wrestling with its own divisions, China flexing its influence, and the world still adjusting after COVID-19 changed everything. But if you look closely, the bigger battle is always inside us: jealousy, envy, fear, and the unseen curses that quietly pull us down.

The hardest part is this: you can’t always explain it. How do you tell someone that your setbacks aren’t just bad luck, but part of a spiritual fault line you carry? How do you fight something invisible—something no book, no gun, no grenade could ever defeat?

And yet, there is always a way out. Not by force, not by denial, but by acknowledging that God (Nyasaye) is the only one who truly leads the story. Every time I stop blaming systems, enemies, or even destiny, and instead hand the battle over to Him, doors begin to open.

The world of 2025 is hyperconnected—AI writes our news, economies shift overnight, families wrestle with meaning and identity. But under all the noise, one question still echoes: who really leads this story? If the answer isn’t God, then we are just chasing shadows.

The real reset isn’t tied to the year on the calendar. The reset begins the moment we admit that the fight isn’t just against viruses, governments, or jealous neighbors. It’s against the unseen—and the only weapon that works there is faith.

 

💡 By the Way

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too.

 

 

The End of an Era and the Unfinished Struggle

With Osama gone, many things had to change—especially in how we approach global conflict resolution. In fact, I might need to revise a chapter or two in my book The End. I had imagined a scenario where major powers could resolve conflicts with diplomacy and negotiation, rather than endless bloodshed. But reality, of course, had other plans.

The removal of Osama Bin Laden marked a turning point. It lifted a shadow over international politics, yet it also left a power vacuum. For some time, the world seemed calm, and we all hoped it would stay that way. We hoped international diplomacy could replace violence, and for a moment, it seemed possible.

But new threats arose, like ISIS and extremist movements, and questions lingered: How can such cycles of religious conflict truly end? Is there a human solution? The truth is, while young minds may propose workable solutions, as issues become entangled with political power, ideology, and international influence, consensus becomes almost impossible.

This is why we must also consider a moral and spiritual approach to global suffering. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria and Iraq is a reminder that emergency situations often foreshadow long-term instability. The migrant crisis in Europe, though framed as a humanitarian effort today, could become a source of tension decades from now—fueled by cultural, religious, and social friction.

There are two major religious blocs in the world that historically have had significant differences. While religious coexistence is possible—and often successful—the risk of conflict grows when populations are relocated or concentrated in shared spaces without mutual understanding or respect. It’s a delicate balance: the best long-term solution may involve supporting local governance, reducing external interference, and empowering communities to manage their own affairs.

In short, moderation, dialogue, and respect for cultural and religious boundaries are the only paths toward lasting peace. The West, and indeed the global community, must support—not dictate—the choices of local populations. If we get that right, perhaps future generations can inherit a world with fewer conflicts, fewer forced migrations, and more opportunities for true coexistence.

 

 💡 By the Way....

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too 

 

The Tug of Belief: Why Religion Divides and Unites

Every day I hear it, see it, and sometimes even feel it—in the media, in churches, mosques, shrines, workplaces, and social spaces. People passionately praising their own religion while criticizing or dismissing other beliefs. It’s everywhere, like a soundtrack to human life: affirmations, debates, and sometimes outright battles of conviction.

But here’s something I’ve noticed that feels strange. Most of us are bold with our belief systems only when we are among people who share them. Give one individual a room full of people from another faith, and suddenly, the bravado disappears. Subtle caution takes over. Survival instincts kick in. The same person who preached loudly about their principles is now carefully choosing their words, their gestures, even their silences.

Why is that? Why do we instinctively back off when placed in close proximity to members of another religion? Why does proximity seem to diminish confidence in one’s own convictions—or at least temper the way we express them?

Consider interfaith couples: two married people from different religions, or two partners dating across religious lines. There is often an unspoken agreement to avoid certain topics or to soften convictions in public. Even when both are genuinely devout, the dynamics of human interaction demand compromise, diplomacy, or at least silence.

This is where interfaith dialogue becomes crucial. When people are willing to talk openly about their differences—without judgment or fear—they create opportunities for understanding. History shows us examples of both conflict and coexistence: the Ottoman Empire, for instance, allowed multiple religious communities to live under one system, with laws respecting diverse practices. Medieval Spain had periods where Muslims, Christians, and Jews shared ideas and even collaborated in science and philosophy.

I don’t know what you think, but I feel we fool ourselves a lot. Our opinions are highly relative—shaped as much by circumstance as by doctrine. We engage in what I call a religious tug of war: each belief pulling in its own direction, yet the energy expended rarely results in meaningful progress. The louder the tug, often the less ground is actually gained.

Yet this tension also reveals something profound. Belief is not just about doctrine—it’s about human nature. It’s about how we negotiate identity, community, and survival. It shows that, deep down, we understand the limits of our influence and the fragility of our certainty.

In practical terms, religious coexistence requires three things:

1. Mutual respect: Recognizing that others’ beliefs are valid to them, even if we disagree.

2. Tolerance and empathy: Understanding that no one lives purely by the letter of doctrine; human experience shapes belief.

3. Dialogue and education: Open discussions and shared learning reduce misconceptions and create opportunities for peaceful coexistence.

So, what’s the solution? I still propose we do a test—a quest, if you will—to find the right belief once and for all. Not a competition, not a debate, but a sincere search for wisdom that transcends mere affiliation—a principle that can guide us beyond fear, conflict, or tribalism.

Perhaps the ultimate goal isn’t to prove whose religion is superior, but to discover how beliefs can coexist peacefully, teaching us humility, empathy, and the art of living harmoniously in an increasingly crowded world.

Until then, every discussion, debate, and subtle compromise reflects our shared struggle: to hold onto truth while learning to survive—and perhaps thrive—among those who see the world differently. The challenge of religion in society isn’t simply about belief; it’s about how we, as humans, create communities, maintain harmony, and navigate differences without descending into conflict.

History, observation, and personal experience suggest that when we focus less on proving the superiority of our own faith and more on understanding others, the world becomes less a battlefield of ideas and more a space of shared growth. And maybe, just maybe, that is the ultimate test of faith: not how loud we proclaim it in our circles, but how wisely and kindly we live it in the world at large.

That’s why I still suggest we do a test and get the right belief once and for all.

 

 

 💡 By the Way....

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too 

 

Resilience in Action: How to Transform Challenges into Triumphs

Adversity is an inevitable part of life. The sooner we accept this truth and learn to live with it, the better. Whether we like it or not, challenges will always present themselves. Agreeing to keep going despite setbacks is the first sign that you are prepared to overcome whatever life throws at you.

And beyond any reasonable doubt, the greater the obstacle, the more glory there is in conquering it. If COVID-19 has presented itself, then let’s rise and face it with courage and determination.

Even the Holy Scripture in John 16:33 reminds us to expect trials. Many may argue that focusing on adversity is pessimistic, but that is a misunderstanding. Preparing for challenges is actually a form of optimism. By acknowledging potential difficulties, you equip yourself to handle them effectively—without being blindsided.

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Why Preparation Is Key

The truth is, you cannot win a battle you did not prepare for. It’s not about luck; it’s about strategy. Know what should be done, avoid what should not, and aim before you act. Remember: the greater the obstacle, the greater the glory in overcoming it.

COVID-19 caught the world off guard, but it is never too late to rally inner strength and fight back. Start by acknowledging the adversity without overestimating it. Understand the problem fully and ask key questions:

• What exactly is the challenge?

• What steps should I take to overcome it?

• What will I gain by overcoming it?

• What are the consequences of inaction?

Writing your answers down helps focus your energy on solutions rather than fear. Too often, people overrate challenges and underestimate their own abilities.

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Your Mind Is Your Greatest Weapon

Humans possess incredible potential, yet studies show most people use only a fraction of their brain’s capacity. When you overrate an obstacle, you underrate yourself. Sit down, analyze the situation, and you may discover that the problem is not as insurmountable as it first appeared.

Many people keep problems to themselves out of fear or denial. Remember the saying: “When you pass through hell, don’t stop to take pictures.” Focus on moving forward instead of dwelling on the difficulty. Don’t add to your adversity by blaming yourself for past mistakes.

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The Power of Positive Thinking

Your thoughts shape your words, your words shape your beliefs, your beliefs shape your actions, and your actions create the results you experience. Staying positive is not optional; it’s a necessity.

Look at the story of the physically challenged award recipient at a past BET Awards. Despite immense obstacles, she persevered and inspired others. Her hero was her history—a legacy of people who succeeded despite oppression. Let her example remind you that adversity does not have to define you.

Surround yourself with positivity. Negative people drain energy and cloud judgment, while positive, enthusiastic people inspire and uplift. Seek out environments that reinforce optimism and solution-focused thinking.

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Taking Calculated Risks

Life is a risk. Avoiding challenges may seem safe, but it guarantees failure if you never act. Take calculated risks after analyzing your adversity. Know what you stand to gain and what is at stake. By facing challenges proactively, you turn obstacles into opportunities.

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Key Principles for Overcoming Adversity

1. Adversity can make you bitter or better. The choice is yours.

2. Rise after being knocked down. Don’t let setbacks keep you down.

3. Acknowledge that circumstances change. Your darkest hour is temporary.

4. Life is too short to live in defeat. Take control of your mindset.

5. Address the root cause. Solve the problem to change the results.

Train your mind to focus on the positive. Read inspiring stories and biographies of people who succeeded despite adversity. Replace negative influences with empowering ones. Remember: “When you fall down, pick something up.” Learn from failure and hit the ground running.

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Never Give Up

Never give up because something didn’t go as planned. Never give up because you faced a setback. God wired you to be resilient, optimistic, disciplined, focused, hardworking, and above all, a winner. Keep fighting. Keep going.

It’s never over until you win. Remember: the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.

 

KEEP ON WINNING, AND SEE YOU AT THE TOP.

 

 💡 By the Way....

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel too 

 

Prayers For Divine Visitation. Are We Ready For Them?

This is Just a follow up to my blog on "the blind leading the blind" that I wrote recently . Today, in my semi-consciousness, as I was awakening from my sleep, I couldn’t but help imagine if  our  prayers for divine visitation led some Divine Being  to come to earth! How many of us would be able to quickly identify him, her or them, if one knocked on our doors. How would we identify him?

Sorry, I am not trying  to demean your belief by referring to your Supreme Being incorrectly. In fact, I do respect your belief. But I am just wondering aloud. If your belief is the right one and your Creator—in the form that you believe he/she is in—visited you or someone from another belief after prayers for divine visitation—would you or we correctly identify Him?  For example, in Christian religion God had this habit of appearing as fire in the Bible.  

Prayers For Divine Visitation

I am asking this tough questions—that even wise men would avoid—because our image of our Spiritual Masters—more so a Supreme Being and his Servants—is that they always put on some fine linen and glitter. We expect them to descend here on earth and get noticed miles away; with all the lights, Fire and golden chariots etc.

But what if they came looking like average people after all this prayers for divine visitation? What if you pray all night and God comes to your rescue—or to test you—before granting your wish. What if he comes like—some random person that knocks on your door—asking for drinking water! Or what if he sends an average person that has no clue you asked for his or her help! How will you tell that this visitor is Divine?

Take Jesus Christ for example.  If someone, presumably Caucasian, dressed exactly like the image of Jesus Christ that we have—the white linen and long hair—knocks at your doorstep, is he likely to get a better reception, than some clean shaven version in a black suit?  What if after your prayers for divine visitation, the daughter of the most high is sent instead—or some African or Japanese version! How will it play out?

What I am I getting at? Well, I just want you to be better informed or aware of this folly. Just in case you get that divine chance.  After all, many of us are very religious—if some of the wars and bombing around is anything to by. So, some divine visitor coming should be easy to notice right?

Yeah… right! How do you know one has never visited you already! Is it because you have never seen a winged person?  If urine is now medicine, then divine intervention could be knocking at your door every day! You just are not seeing it perhaps because your spiritual leader is not obsessed with the idea of this occurrence. And you might go down with him, due to this hindsight.

I know, all in all, there is the risk of false prophets. But even in the Biblical Old Testament, many people kept on wondering who the real Messiah was and by the time he came, very few believed he was the one. Yet that was the ultimate result of prayers for divine visitation.

So, all I want you to do is open your heads and hearts. Don’t be like Pharaoh of Moses and the Exodus times. Anyone visiting and pointing you in your faith should be taken as possibly divine if he/her makes you do good.   Get ready by being open hearted and ready to think outside the box. If you’re not ready, then stop worshiping endlessly because I strongly believe divine visits are happening in the thousands, and their missions is often to instruct, to test, and to grant wishes. And most of the times we fail to see this or receive our answers.

If you are not even sure who is divine or not, then let’s start there. Because we cannot just let it be relative like that. I mean, the sun is standard across the world. Why can’t we put our heads together and establish who our only true Creator is, and then forget the rest. A test does exist, and it has our true Creator in the details; for certain. Someone's prayers for divine visitation might be answered big time.

So let’s get enlightened and start rolling in the right direction; the kind that the smartest being on earth should be doing. If bees can agree on one common goal, why can’t human beings? Especially, if proof and a test exist!!!!!

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  Get the End time You Want  Through "The End."  And let's begin the good life.

 

 

  💡 By the Way....

Most of my recent work now lives at The Skywatcher’s Journal. Come join me there as well. In the meantime, circle back here for updates on this old blog—I’ve come to realize that sometimes, old is gold.

🎥 Oh, and if you enjoy video storytelling, check out my YouTube channel.