I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 29

I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 29

EPISODE 29: A Voice I Didn’t Know I Had

I didn’t plan to speak.
Honestly, I would have preferred to stay invisible—to blend into the crowd and let life quietly move on.

But God had other plans.

It started with a simple message from Sister Jumoke, one of the women leaders in church.
“Chinaza, would you mind sharing a short encouragement during Sunday’s youth service? Just a few minutes. Something from your walk with God.”

I stared at the message for almost an hour.
Part of me wanted to decline.
To hide.
To stay far away from anything that could make me the center of attention again.

But another part of me—the part God had been strengthening in secret—whispered: “Say yes.”

So I said yes.

Sunday came faster than I expected.
I sat at the edge of the pew, hands trembling slightly, the folded piece of paper feeling heavy in my Bible.
I wasn’t sure if it was fear… or a holy kind of fire.

When they called my name, I stood up slowly.
It felt like walking into the unknown.

The microphone felt foreign in my hand, the faces blurry before me.
But then, I remembered why I was here.

Not for them.
Not for Charles.
Not even for myself.

But for the God who had preserved me.
For the girls who might be walking into traps disguised as promises.
For the ones who needed to know that discernment was still a weapon, and that obedience could save a life.

I took a breath. And I spoke.

“I almost made a mistake that could have cost me everything.
But the Holy Spirit whispered to me in a moment of confusion.
He said, ‘Wait.’
He said, ‘Don’t move without Me.’
And I obeyed.
Not because I was strong.
Not because I was smart.
But because God is faithful.
And today, I stand here to remind you…
Sometimes, God’s greatest blessings are the doors He shuts.
The relationships He blocks.
The ‘yes’ He doesn’t let you say.”

The hall was silent.

I could feel something shifting in the atmosphere.
Chains breaking quietly in hearts I couldn’t even see.

I closed my Bible, smiled softly, and said, “Trust Him. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Especially then.”

And I walked off the stage.

After service, something strange began to happen.

People started reaching out.
Girls I barely knew.
Boys who looked a little shaken.
Leaders who watched me with new respect in their eyes.

It wasn’t just about me anymore.
It was about the seed that had been planted.

The seed of truth.

And as for Charles?
I caught a glimpse of him across the hall.

His smile looked thinner than usual.
His eyes darted away when I looked his way.

For the first time…
he looked nervous.

Good.

Because now I am free.

To be continued…