In the early morning of Thursday, July 4, 2025, the footballing world awoke to the devastating news of the passing of Diogo Jota, Liverpool FC and Portugal’s forward, alongside his brother André Silva. Their deaths sent shockwaves through the global community.
On the same day, around 12:30 PM in Ghana, the nation was gripped by another sensational news about the 15-year jail sentence handed down to self-styled evangelist Patricia Asiedu, widely known as Agradaa.
As I reflected on these two events, it dawn on me the unpredictability of life and, at times, the consequences of our actions and inactions.
For instance, no one, not even the most passionate fan or astute observer, had anticipated the death of a budding talent like Diogo Jota. Just days prior, the world was celebrating the joyous occasion of his marriage to Rute Cardoso, surrounded by his loving family. It was a moment of ecstasy, a snapshot of a life seemingly full of promise and future triumphs. And yet, on June 23rd, eleven (11) days after celebrating such a significant milestone, Diogo Jota was gone, called to be with the Lord. The suddenness, the sheer unexpectedness of it all, leaves a chilling reminder of how swiftly circumstances can change.
Equally startling was the fate of Agradaa. Just four days before her conviction, on July 1, 2025, during Ghana’s maiden National Thanksgiving Day, she was a prominent figure on national television, commanding attention and engaging with the public. To learn of her 15-year sentence just ninety-six hours later is quite compelling.
For those of us observing these two personalities from a distance, Diogo Jota, the celebrated footballer, and Agradaa, the controversial evangelist, we are mere spectators to the grand, unscripted drama of life. We could not have foreseen these events, except perhaps by some divine providence.
Indeed, life often presents us with such wild twists. We have all faced them, the untimely death of a cherished relative, a sudden household accident, the unexpected visit of a loved one without prior notice, or even the surprising joy of passing an exam we were convinced we had failed. These moments, both tragic and triumphant, reveal life’s unpredictability.
However, for Christians, our understanding of unpredictability comes with particular distinctions. We do not strictly adhere to the notion that life is entirely random or without a guiding hand. Instead, we believe in a sovereign God who, in His wisdom, can choose to reveal future events to us, allowing us to prepare and navigate challenges with foresight. Yet, there are times when God, for reasons known only to Him, chooses not to reveal what lies ahead. In such instances, what appears unpredictable to us may be God’s chosen path of not disclosing His plans.
Even in the face of these unrevealed futures, our faith provides an anchor. We are called to trust in God’s divine plan, even when we cannot see the next step. For example, Job, in the depths of unimaginable suffering, declared, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15a). This scripture buttresses the essence of Christian faith in the face of life’s uncertainties. It speaks to a trust that transcends understanding and rests solely on God’s character and faithfulness.
Even when the path ahead is obscured by the fog of unpredictability, our trust in Him ensures that our steps, though perhaps not always clear to us, are being divinely guided.
The sudden departure of Diogo Jota and the dramatic turn in Agradaa’s life serve as reminders of our human frailty and the ultimate sovereignty of God. They compel us to live each day with intentionality, weigh the consequences of our actions and inactions, cherish our loved ones, and embrace the present moment with absolute trust in God. And for the vast majority of Believers, we are tempted to ask God questions we can’t fathom when tragedy of evil befall those we believe to have close relationship with God. We often expect a divine intervention, and the absence of clear answers can be troubling. It is also important to acknowledge the role of human decisions, errors and mistakes.
Be that as it may, we can find comfort and strength in the character of Christ. His love, wisdom, and faithfulness remain constant. We can face the unknown with courage, knowing that whether He reveals His plans or not, our trust in Him is never misplaced, and He will always be our sure foundation.
I concluded with the first stanza of the popular hymn written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873:
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”
