Before I say anything here, let me bless my readers with my grandmother’s prayers. I’ll do both the English and the Yoruba verses of it for the sake of those who do not understand Yoruba or how to read it.
Prayer in Yoruba
Ori e, o nigbabode,
Eleda e o nisise
Iseda e o nisonu.
Abaniniayo je konimoile e
Oriburukukoni je ti e
Ogo aye e o niw’omi
Ni awujoawonolorirewa-ba won pe
War’owo mu lo s’enu
O ni wo akisakeyinAso
O nitoro’je
O nitoro’mu
O nitoro’na
O nitoro’lo
O ni wo owoomolakejiko to jeun
O tiri be,
O ti se be
Ni AseEdumare
Prayer in English
Your glory will not attract evil,
Your destiny will not end up in mishaps
You will not miss your purpose in life
Destiny destroyers will not locate you
Misfortunes are not your portion
Your glory will not be wasted
You will be numbered among the high and mighty in the land
You will never lack what to eat or drink
Your life and destiny will not end in wearing rags
You will not beg before you eat a choice meal
You will not beg before you take precious wine
You will not beg before you spend on yourself
You will not beg before you have all you need
You will not look up to your neighbours before you eat
It is done
It is established
In the mighty name of God
I took my time to pray for you because what I’m about to share with us is something vital information about our lives that the majority of us are not aware and to a larger extent, we’d ignorantly use religion to further destroy ourselves and rather than us finding purpose in life and fulfilling destiny, we are busy chasing a mansion in heaven and how we are going to live in the mansion just because of what Jesus Christ said in John 14:2-4 saying; “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Forgetting that Jesus was not talking to the Christians, neither was He talking to the entire world but to the very people He was sent to.
Even though it is okay for us all to believe in Jesus Christ, the truth is, that Jesus Christ was not sent to the whole world. Jesus Christ was sent only to the children of Israel, and this He made clear in Matt 15:24 saying; “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”. And please, don’t tell me you are a spiritual Israelite. That is stupidity and ignorance because there are no tribes, colour or nationality in the spiritual world. Neither is there Male or Female. We are all equal before God.
Jesus was so particular about the people He was sent to and this He also established in Matt 10:5-6 where it was recorded that; “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” To further prove this, in Matt 15:21-27 it was recorded that; “Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her, not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Here was Jesus Christ rejecting someone who was not an Israelite, calling the person a dog. How will you feel if someone calls you a dog? This is what happens when the purpose is not known and destiny is averted. May you not miss your purpose in life. May your destiny not be truncated. But in reality, this is what religion has done to so many lives.
Religion had made the majority of us to be heavenly-minded and earthly useless. The mansion Jesus was referring to was not for the whole world or for everyone who believed in Him. The mansion he was referring to is for Him and His Twelve Disciples and this was so to make up for the Twenty Four Elders which are the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Disciples of Jesus Christ. Apostle John made mentioned them in Rev 4:4-5 saying; “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
So, where exactly are we among them? King David said in Ps 115:16; “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men.” Man has no business in heaven, the earth is the place for mankind and this fact was made known to us all first in 2 Peter 3:13 where Apostle Peter said; “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. And Secondly where Apostle John said in Rev 21:1-4 that; “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Now, every Apostle Peter and Apostle John said is just a confirmation of what Prophet Isaiah had said in Isaiah 65:17-19 saying; “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” The same he repeated in Isaiah 66:22-23 saying; “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.”
So, if you are thinking of going to heaven before now, then have a rethink. We have no business in heaven. The earth is where we all belong to. We are not the ones going to heaven to be with the Lord, it is the Lord that is coming to the earth to live among us. But what will the earth be like for us then when in the present we don’t know what our purpose is in life and to fulfil destiny is impossible? Without knowing what our purpose is in life, fulfilling destiny becomes a thing of walking in the dark with our eyes closed.
“Eleda” is a Yoruba word that means “destiny” or “fate.” In Yoruba culture and religion, Eleda is believed to be the guiding force that determines an individual’s path in life. It is often associated with one’s purpose, calling, or ultimate destiny. In Ps 31:3 King David said; “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” Even though the Bible made us believe that it was God King David was referring to, in the actual context, it was a self-assurance and declaration of his faith in the things God had destined him to accomplish. Let me remind you that King David was a traditional/cultural man, not a religious man. He was never a Christian or a Muslim and yet we all have his name boldly written in our religious books and we are proud to either call him David or Dauda and yet he never practice any of the faith.
Destiny is the predetermined course of events in a person’s life that is believed to be controlled by a higher power or fate. It is the idea that certain events or outcomes are meant to happen and cannot be changed or altered. Some people believe that destiny is predetermined and that everything that happens in their lives is part of a larger plan, while others believe that they have the power to shape their destiny through their choices and actions. Destiny is often associated with concepts such as fate, predestination, and providence.
This was very true in the life of Jesus as it was written in Isaiah 7:13-17; “Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. The Lord will bring the king of Assyria upon you and your people and your father’s house — days that have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah.” What was said in Isaiah became a reality in Matt 1:18-23 where it was recorded that; “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
The same happened with Samson. Every human life is predetermined the problem is that the majority of us don’t know what was predetermined and predestined for us; so we live our lives on maybe, maybe not. Second guessing what life should be for us. To the majority of us, life had become a thing of a directionless man directing others how to live their lives and what to do with their lives because of the virtue of his position either as a religious leader, politician, businessman or parent. Life had become to us all what Jesus Christ said in Matt 15:14; “They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” This is the fate of many of us. The majority of us are in the ditch of life and if we don’t come out of it as quickly as we could, that could be our end.
Human destiny can be the same in the sense that certain events or outcomes may be predetermined or guided by a higher power or fate. However, human destiny can also be different for each individual, as people can make choices and take actions that can influence their path in life just as King Saul did and the Kingdom was taken from him. Some believe that destiny is fixed and unchangeable, while others believe that individuals have the power to shape their destiny through their decisions and behaviours. Ultimately, the concept of human destiny is complex and can be interpreted in different ways depending on one’s beliefs and perspective.
The choice of religion can certainly have an impact on a person’s beliefs, values, and worldview, which in turn can influence their decisions, actions, and ultimately their destiny. Different religions offer different teachings, moral guidelines, and perspectives on life, death, and the afterlife, which can shape how individuals perceive their purpose and meaning in the world. However, too much attention of religious practices that hinder us from our eternal purpose here on earth.
I strongly believe that God did not create any human being or send anyone into the world all for the sake of religion. Religion is what we are born into purpose and destiny is what we are born with as far as I can tell, our purpose and destiny supersede any religion and this Jesus made clear when He said in John 4:34; “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Another translation says; “Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.” Another translation also says; “My food,” Jesus said to them, “is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.” Meaning His food is to do what had been predetermined and predestined of Him. The same should be our attitudes and not the religion we so believed in and yet makes no difference in our lives except to prepare us for heaven.
Some religions believe in the concept of predestination, where one’s destiny is predetermined by a higher power, while others emphasize free will and the ability to make choices that can shape one’s destiny. The beliefs and practices of a particular religion can also influence a person’s behaviour, relationships, and overall life path.
Ultimately, the impact of religion on human destiny is a complex and deeply personal matter, as individuals may interpret and practice their faith in different ways that can shape their beliefs about destiny and the course of their lives.
The Importance of destiny versus religion is subjective and can vary depending on individual beliefs and perspectives. For some people, destiny may hold greater significance as it is seen as the predetermined course of events that shape one’s life and ultimate purpose. Others may prioritize religion as a guiding force that provides moral and spiritual guidance, a sense of community, and a connection to a higher power.
Both destiny and religion can play significant roles in shaping a person’s beliefs, values, and actions. Some individuals may find comfort and meaning in the idea of destiny, while others may derive fulfilment and purpose from their religious beliefs and practices. Ultimately, the importance of destiny versus religion is a personal matter that can vary greatly from person to person.
The concept of religion and destiny can be intertwined in complex ways, and whether religion can “destroy” destiny is a matter of interpretation and belief. Some religious beliefs may emphasize the idea of predestination or a predetermined fate, while others may emphasize free will and the ability to shape one’s destiny through choices and actions. We have such an example in the persons of Rahab the harlot who kept the children of Israel safe when they went to spire the city of Jericho and her choice led to her marriage to Salmon one of the spires and in Matt 1:5-6 it was said that “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the King…and David the King begot Jesus Christ all because of the choice Rahab made to help the spires in resulted in her becoming a married from being a prostitute, the choice Ruth made to remain a daughter to Naomi her late husband’s mother and listen to Naomi’s advice that changed her status from being a widow to becoming a wife and a mother; the same choice the religion and the religious mindsets of our generation will call satanic or evil.
In Ruth 3:1-18, Ruth 4:13-17 it was recorded that; “Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young woman you were with, is he not our relative? He is winnowing barely tonight on the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.” So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you — good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Also, he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six Ephahs of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her. And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'” Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went into her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. Also, the neighbour woman gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
The choices we make can lead to the unfolding of our purpose and destiny in life. Until the purpose is known, destiny becomes unattainable. And this is one major reason why the declaration of self-assurance of King David in Ps 31:3 that says; “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me” is very important for us all. We cannot leave our impacts on the footprint of life if our purpose is not known and our destiny is fulfilled.
In some cases, strict adherence to certain religious teachings or practices may limit an individual’s ability to make choices that could potentially alter their destiny. For example, if a person believes that their destiny is entirely predetermined by a higher power and they must follow a specific set of rules or guidelines, they may feel constrained in their ability to make decisions that could lead to a different outcome. King David broke so many laws Prophet Moses set for the children of Israel and yet God never because of reversed His decisions regarding him or destroyed him. Instead, God made a covenant with King David based on the choice King David made in 2 Sam 7:1-17; “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'”‘ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover, I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also, the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.”
On the other hand, religion can also provide individuals with a sense of purpose, guidance, and moral framework that can help them navigate life’s challenges and make choices that align with their values and beliefs. Ultimately, the relationship between religion and destiny is complex and can vary depending on individual beliefs and interpretations.
It is important to make clear that a human destiny can potentially contradict certain religious doctrines. Religion often provides guidelines and beliefs about the purpose and meaning of life, as well as the afterlife and moral conduct. However, individuals may have their own beliefs, values, and experiences that may not align with the teachings of a particular religion. This can lead to conflicts between personal beliefs and religious doctrines, resulting in a contradiction in one’s perceived destiny. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to reconcile these differences and determine their path in life.
Thank you
Sam Adeoye
April 13, 2024