Brian & I sat down last week to reflect on his journey before, during, and since the accident. Brian is quick to tell me that the accident has been just one of many detours in his life, and like the others, that God has used it for good.
He tells me of the time at age 22, when God interrupted and permanently redirected his life. He was still in Uganda and had just graduated with a degree in economics finishing close to the top of his class. There were many open doors before him, but the most important one was the one that would lead him to Christ. Brian became a Christian that year and says it was a time marked as clearly as BC/AD in terms of the transformation in his life.
As he began to follow Christ, he began to work in business but heading the same trajectory no longer made sense to him. He spent a couple of years in seasons of fasting and prayer searching for God’s direction. Through those seasons, he did not feel called to leave the business world behind. Instead, he felt God calling him to the marketplace and showing him how to bring together work & ministry in new ways. It seemed God wanted him to use his business acumen for kingdom purposes. It was a new thought. And with that new clarity, a new direction would unfold, one that would eventually call him away from his home in Uganda.
Brian came to the United States in March 2012 as part of a training program at a local bank. He wanted to learn more about private equity and resourcing, and the opportunity was here. The move was challenging. Even church was hard, as the cultural differences were apparent not just in worship styles, but also in the depth and manner that people expressed their faith. The spiritual disciplines that had guided Brian in Uganda were not as integrated into the community of faith, leading to times of loneliness and isolation. Brian, though, enjoys God’s friendship more than anything, and it is His friendship and His presence that saw Him through that transition.
Brian spent a year and a half preparing for business school. He ran into another unexpected detour, though, with the GMAT. After three unsuccessful attempts to get the scores he needed, he realized God seemed to be closing that door. He still felt called to continue his education, though, and realized he needed a stronger background in accounting. It was another unexpected detour and one that would lead him back to MCC, not Baylor, to pursue an accounting degree.
While God continued to open doors and provide financially and mentally for the journey back to school, Brian admits that this season was a particularly dry one spiritually. Brian was studying hard and working two jobs. He knew God was faithful and had a plan. However, much of the joy & intimacy that typically characterized Brian’s relationship with God was missing. He was not experiencing that same friendship with God that had seen him through tough times before. We lifted him up many times during life group, sensing his discouragement and praying for restoration. It looked like things were beginning to turn around. Brian was accepted to Baylor and was scheduled to start this spring. Pieces were falling into place financially and academically. And once again, Brian could see God’s hand clearly at work.
Then, October 22, a crash, another detour, another turning point. And in the blink of an eye, everything was different. As he regained consciousness, Brian felt an overwhelming peace, in the midst of a lot of pain. He sensed God speaking directly to his heart, "I will give you grace for this season." Brian would later write a poem to capture the emotions of that day:
In the blink of an eye...
In the blink of an eye, my life came to a pause;
yet in the pause, YOUR presence protected me.
In the blink of an eye, all pain gushed through my being;
yet in the pain, YOUR peace comforted me.
In the blink of an eye, anxiety brought my hopes and desires crushing down;
yet in the anxiety, YOUR purpose for me stood firm.
And now, ...
With eyes wide open, i see YOU knitting me together for the sake of YOUR great Name.
With eyes wide open, i am overwhelmed by YOUR love through the body of YOUR son Jesus.
With eyes wide open, i know that YOUR path for me has been carefully crafted.
Once again, it seemed God was calling him to lay all of his plans on the altar, but now, Brian was again so aware of God’s presence and His care. Brian, again, responded, like he did at the age of 22, “Whatever you are going to do, Lord, it’s okay with me. I am yours.”
I asked Brian what God had been teaching him through this season. What is God doing in your life? Brian had a whole list of lessons that God has been teaching him. He talked of learning to receive the love of God through others and moving away from the pride that we can it ourselves. He talked about experiencing the overwhelming nature of God’s love from the body of Christ, both near and far, with love offerings and prayers and gifts of support from friends and from strangers. He talked about giving his life again to Christ with open arms, willing to follow wherever He leads – whether school or home or somewhere new. On a different level, he talked about learning responsibility and the importance of health insurance. But mostly Brian talks about this season as one of revival in his life, one where God has called him back to Himself and His presence and His sweet fellowship. He hears God echo the words “When I bring you to a place, I will take care of you.” Brian has experienced that care deeply through this season. And asked if he could go back and avoid the accident, he says no way. It’s so worth it.
What does Brian most want others to know about his journey?
God is faithful to His promises, when He says He will pick you up & dust off your ashes, when He says He will clothe you in His righteousness, He will. He is faithful and consistent. And He cares for you.
How can we continue to pray for Brian?
- Wisdom & direction – Brian has been accepted to Baylor and plans to attend this fall, pending financial provision.
- Daily surrender to God & humility as he continues to heal and to share his journey – “Let them never see Brian Okello, but let them see you, God.”
- Favor & provision with medical bills
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