“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
If I had a theme song for 2024, it would be “Be Still and Know” by Cece Winans. At the start of the year, I chose “Consolidation” as the theme for the year.

I began 2024 excited, knowing it would mark the conclusion of my master’s and cookery programs. I looked forward to the end of the year, knowing that despite all the drama from immigration, I was still eligible for a graduate visa (post-work study). When I got overwhelmed with schoolwork, I’d remind myself that there’d be freedom soon, which would signal a return to self. This thought kept me going through the year and helped me stay grounded as I wrapped up the transitory post-graduate phase. This phase began when I arrived in Australia in December 2022—a life-changing move that felt like stepping into the dream life I have always envisioned.
The Journey to Freedom
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of a life lived on my own terms, one that I have written about several times on this blog. In my teenage years, this dream felt like a wishful daydream. By my mid-20s, it evolved into a distant fairytale, and in my early 30s, it became a plausible reality. Now in my mid-30s, I see how the dots of my journey have connected, especially through the divine redirection that came via a major loss in 2021.

I will always reference 2021 when I take stock of my life journey. 2021 led me to this path of surrender, my eyes watching God to see where the dots will end. Throughout my young adulthood, I always felt I was working toward a goal that seemed just out of reach. I dreamed of the life I wanted but often doubted if it was achievable. I longed for that feeling of “This is it”—a sense of stability, like my life had finally begun. For me, 2024 was the final stretch, the moment when I stepped into that sense of stability I have been working towards.

The year’s beauty lies in how it ended—with me receiving my graduate visa. This was the ultimate confirmation of my theme for the year, the culmination of two years of rigorous schooling. It marked the closure of a temporary phase I needed to go through to achieve greater life goals. The end of this phase has ushered in the beginning of a life I have always dreamed of – a simple, quiet life where I can truly enjoy living.

Living the Dream Life
More than ever, achieving the life I have always dreamed of feels truly possible. For the first time, I am excited and have serious thoughts of getting a house and other fixed assets in the near future. This is a major shift in my mindset and a symbol of stability. Mentally, I have reached a place where I feel grounded, like my real life is finally beginning. It’s been a long journey through different phases of life, each teaching me valuable lessons that brought me to this point. This is what true freedom feels like.

Towards 2024’s closing, I started settling into that freedom, though I am still processing all it means and holds. So far, it’s been everything I imagined: a promise of flexibility, no longer being bound to rigid schedules or endlessly grinding in a capitalist system while struggling to meet multiple academic deadlines. I have had to remind myself a couple of times to take things slow as I now have the luxury of time. My life has truly been slowed down, and it is bliss.
Living in a country where the system works gives me a profound sense of possibility. Here, I can switch careers easily, take breaks when I want and not feel like my life will fall apart. I can have more travel access, explore my hobbies, and enjoy slowed moments at my own pace. This is everything I have ever wanted—a life of freedom, choice, and peace.

“A hand upon my forehead
The joke and then the laugh
Waking up in your arms
A place to call my own
This is all I ever wanted from life
This is all I ever wanted from life
This is all I ever wanted from life” – Lifening (Snow Patrol)
Lessons in Surrender
2024 was a pivotal year that gave me so much of what I needed but also pushed me to grow in faith. It was a year of profound life lessons and a reminder that God is deeply present in my journey. He always provides financially and in all aspects of my life. He is mindful of me, giving me the necessary resources at the right time. It’s okay to plan and pray, but I have learned it’s not for me to answer the prayer myself. Through it all, I have been reminded that every rejection is redirection, and while dreaming and planning are important, surrendering fully to God’s will is essential. After all, I always commit my plans to Him, so why do I keep trying to control how they unfold? 2024 reinforced the need to trust and let God take the lead.
I have more experiences from 2024 to add to past lived ones. Experiences to remind me to surrender fully and allow God’s plans to unravel in His timing. No more worrying or anxiety over how my prayers will be answered or how things will play out. I’ll take it further; rejection is also protection. One defining moment came when I was certain it was time to rent my flat. Everything seemed aligned; it was a sure deal, especially since I was renting from someone known to my family. But the agent sabotaged the process, and I was deeply upset. In hindsight, I now see how God was protecting me. Tying down $4,000 as bond for the house would have caused financial stress during a period when immigration processes demanded so much of my resources. The funny thing? The issue that made me want to leave my apartment never materialized.

2024 was a continuation of my journey in practising gratitude, especially during moments when I faced significant financial obligations. Each time I cleared a large bill, I reminded myself to be thankful I had the resources to meet the need.
One Sunday in church, as I was preparing to lodge my graduate visa application and worrying about my future in the corporate world, the choir sang ‘More Than Able’ by Chandler Moore, Maverick City Music, and Naomi Raine. The lyrics hit me:
“Anything is possible
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?” – More Than Able (Chandler Moore, Maverick City Music, and Naomi Raine)
I was reminded of a time I prayed for divine funding for my graduate fees. I had anticipated a scholarship, trying to predict how God would answer. It was as though God said, “Let me show you how much higher my thoughts and ways are than yours. Though I received a 25% scholarship for my first year of the master’s program, I conveniently paid fees for two schools (Masters and Cookery programs) instead of just the university fees I was worried about. The best part is that all fees paid after arriving in Australia were done without loans or dipping into my prior savings from Nigeria.
That Sunday, as I reflected on God’s goodness, Don Moen’s “Be Magnified” came to mind:
“I have made You too small in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me
And I have believed in a lie
That You were unable to help me” – Be magnified (Don Moen)
I repented of my doubts and told myself it was time to stop worrying, doubting, and trying to answer my own prayers about the future. I have often said that God never leaves me stranded, but this time, I want to go further and acknowledge that God has always been good to me. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming because I don’t feel deserving of such goodness. I am flawed, imperfect, and far from a saint. Yet, God remains gracious and has blessed me abundantly—far beyond what I ever thought possible.

When I look back at my journey, From the uncertain young man stepping out of undergrad to where I am today, God’s guidance has been undeniable. I remember my NYSC days in 2012 when I prayed for an ₦80k job but ended up with a role paying twice that. Within three months, my salary was increased to three times what I had hoped for. Ironically, that wasn’t even the job I wanted—it was one I applied for reluctantly and almost did not go for the initial assessment after the oil & gas company role I sought fell through. Interesting how it turned out to be the perfect path for me, leading to a fulfilling career in banking.
Through that job, I enjoyed promotions and bonuses, and I was able to impact others within and beyond my workplace. But more importantly, the job provided the resources that allowed me to live life and explore hobbies after my major shift in perspective in 2016. I realized I was postponing joy—living in survival mode and waiting for the “perfect moment” to enjoy life. I would have waited nine years to find joy if I had continued that way.

Since then, I have explored hobbies like writing, music, photography, and travelling—each bringing incredible joy and memories. Even pursuing my Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, an expensive yet fulfilling hobby, has been a source of light and happiness in my life here in Australia.
Winding Down 2024
After conquering two schools simultaneously in 2024, it was only fair that I had a fun-filled December. I had my Australian version of Detty December. I always pray for a happy December because, after working hard all year to meet goals, the last month of the year should be a time to unwind, engage in fun activities, appreciate our accomplishments for the year and be able to rest while celebrating the year’s wins.

This past December was one of the happiest I have had, even though I woke up on my birthday with anxiety. I was worried that time was passing by quickly, especially as I was just starting a new cycle towards another five-year milestone age. I did a little exercise where I looked back on my life trajectory and past phases.
It was clear that five years is a lot of time for dreams to come true, and even just one year can bring about so much change and answered prayers.
I realized recently that I no longer have “ease” as one of my prayer points. God has been really good to me, and I have found myself right in the middle of answered prayers. 2025 feels like me stepping into the starting stage of living the life I have been working towards.

Mostly, I am thankful for the perfect ending to 2024. I had lodged my graduate visa and wasn’t expecting any feedback until early January 2025. Thankfully, the visa came just before my birthday. I wasn’t exactly anxious about getting the visa, but it felt like unfinished business I would carry over to the new year. So, it was a welcome relief to close this chapter in 2024. It’s quite symbolic that it happened just at the end of the year, ushering me into 2025 on a new visa status, which will provide even better opportunities.

Walking Into 2025
I am walking into 2025 with refresher lessons on trusting God. I hope I have grown spiritually and in faith so I no longer have to fret over my life path. I’d hate to be like the Israelites who, despite witnessing countless signs of God’s power, still doubted His ability to lead them safely to the promised land.
Starting the year, my main goal is to begin the residency process. Once I get it, I know I can fully say my life has started. But as mentioned earlier, that doesn’t mean I will postpone joy or place my life on hold. I am looking forward to exploring more of my city and travelling to two or more other states within Australia this year. And if everything works out fine, possibly travel to the USA and UK towards the end of the year (putting this out to the universe).
I have also decided not to get too comfortable or be distracted by the good income from my current not so physically demanding jobs. If I am serious about getting back into the corporate world, I have to stay focused because I know how fickle I can be. I mean, I did abandon my partial USA scholarship in 2015 after getting paid my first bonus. But I am happy I made that decision, because I would not have had a seamless relocation at that time as I did many years later when I relocated to Australia. The resources I was blessed with while working in banking played a significant role in giving me a soft landing here in Australia. This is why I am aa strong believer in right timings.

While my current jobs pay well, I feel like I did not do two years of an expensive master’s program to not use it for anything. Plus, I got reminded of why I chose to do the master’s program—to accelerate my career. My current jobs don’t provide the fire or mental stimulation that comes with a white-collar job. I have started applying for corporate jobs and done two assessments, but thankfully, there’s no pressure or anxiety. I have the safety of my current job and control over my working hours, though I still don’t know how to say no to extra shifts. This is not necessarily driven by the need to make more money, as I know the income from extra shifts isn’t enough to change my life. I naturally like work and derive a sense of purpose from being busy (not because I must be productive). Sitting idle at home doesn’t make me feel good about myself. What matters is ensuring I have adequate rest and am not overworking my body unnecessarily while also going out on weekends to explore my city and have fun.

I am going into 2025, which has started amazingly well (I just got a new job offer with full-time benefits). This is another reminder that God will always come through for me, and I truly have no reason to fret in 2025 or beyond! What I was bothered about last quarter of 2024 – the fear of having few shifts when I no longer have work restrictions compared to when I was on a student visa, is not happening. Worry truly borrows non-existent problems from the future to steal your peace today.

One of the main reasons I am writing this entry so late into January, besides choosing to take my time with it, is that I have been so busy working back-to-back. As I told a friend the other day, I am back to my early 2023 hustle era when international students had no work restrictions. It’s so much easier this time as there are no academic commitments to juggle with work.
I have written the things I want from 2025 in my notes app and committed them to God. In His perfect timing, each will come. I don’t know how, nor am I trying to figure out when. This is me in total surrender, having learned from past experiences. I know one thing is for sure: everything will align beautifully, better than I can imagine.

The permanent residency and corporate job will come at the right time because I am not ready to jump into such job roles yet. I need an extended break after two years of intense academics. I’ll do all I have to do, but there’s no rush. I’ll apply for jobs, do assessments and interviews, and learn from the rejections until I am directed to the right job. Before the job comes, I plan to take this waiting period as a pseudo-gap year to rest and return to self. I have since started reclaiming old hobbies life had taken me away from (writing, reading physical books, more time to discover new artists and music). I am also slowly returning to photography (I might get a new DSLR since I left the old one in Nigeria). I plan on trying out more recipes I learned in cookery college that I am yet to try.
2025 is going to be great and peaceful. Hopefully, I’ll have an even happier December in 2025 in one of the countries I hope to visit this year.
“Exceedingly, abundantly
More than you can ever ask of Him
He’s able to do it
‘Cause He’s not done with me yet
There’s so much more to this story” — More Than Able (Chandler Moore, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine)
