When I was still a kid, I had heard numerous people say words like “The violent take it by force,” “Take it by force,” and many other phrases around that context.

I remember vividly, during a combined service in church, the topic was “Taking it by force.” I was still little then. I wasn’t able to assimilate the preacher’s explanation — or perhaps, I didn’t listen.

Growing up, I kept hearing those words — from people, including those who really “took it by force” through fighting and punching each other.
Was that how to really take what you want and admire by force?
What if you can’t fight?
What if I die in the process?

Thoughts like that flashed through my mind.

In my primary school days, I was not doing well academically. I was among the dull students.
I wouldn’t say I was unserious — I was just dull.
All my efforts to learn fell to the ground.
Inside me, I wanted to read. I tried, but I just wasn’t understanding.

My assessments in school were poor. I felt pained. I cried.
I admired the brilliant ones. I wanted to be like them.
I made them my friends, but it changed nothing.

Primary school was tough for me.
During ceremonies like graduation and prize-giving day, my classmates received gifts — but not me.
Even my junior sister did.

There were comparisons. You know African parents will forever be African parents.
“Don’t you feel shame?”

I didn’t like how I was either.
I wanted gifts. I wanted awards.
But I didn’t know what was wrong with me.

I remember one of my results — I had 32 out of 33.
I can’t remember the exact class, but a sarcastic song was formed because of that poor result.

I graduated from primary school. Then came secondary school.
But I was still the same.

Still hoping, still struggling.
Still making friends with smart people, hoping I’d become like them.
I engaged in activities that could push me forward.

I read, even though I wasn’t understanding.
During exams, I wrote what I knew.

Through constant reading, I discovered something:
I could only understand and remember well when I browsed the words and topics online.
Reading them from different sources gave me deeper understanding.

I was determined to change.
Maybe I wasn’t smart — but I could be intelligent.

In JSS 1A, we were 99 in the class.
When the first results came out, I was 4th out of 99.
I was so happy.

That was the beginning of my growth.
I learned spellings and worked on areas where I was lacking.

Throughout my time in junior secondary school, I never got less than 40th position.
My poorest position in class was 38.

Senior secondary school followed the same pattern.
I was no longer among the poorest — maybe among the average students.

One day, while reading the Bible, I came across this verse in Matthew 11:12: kjv

> “And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

By then, I was mature enough to understand.

To me, that verse meant that to be among the elite — those who will be with the Father in the end — one must have passion, focus, and strong determination in the things of God.

I applied that same mindset to my academics.

With strong passion and determination, I set goals.
I stayed consistent.
And my life made a U-turn.

In full understanding and peace, I said to myself,
“So this is the real meaning of ‘the violent taking it by force.’”
The violent being me,
And the mechanism — passion and determination — helping me take what I want by force.

What an eye-opener.
What a life-changing encounter.
A secret that has now been revealed to me.

I wish I knew this earlier.
But truly… it’s not too late.