A few days ago, I invited our Pathfinders to reflect on two verses, one from the Bible and the other from the Qur’an. I shared the verses and asked the question: What does this mean to you?
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” — Matthew 21:22
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” — Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11
I wanted to see what these words from sacred texts would awaken in Pathfinders, particularly as it relates to the concepts we explore such as belief, mindset, personal responsibility, and the ability to bring about the change we want to see in our lives.
The responses were deeply thoughtful. Today, I’d like to share two of them in their entirety because both offer something valuable for us to reflect on. I’ve highlighted a few passages that I don’t want you to miss.
Chinedu Louis Igbelina
Thank you for this reflection exercise. I chose Matthew 21:22 because it made me think deeply about the relationship between belief and action.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” — Matthew 21:22
What this verse makes me think about is the responsibility that comes with belief.
For me, believing in a better future is not simply expecting something to happen. It is becoming the person who is prepared to participate in creating that future.
It challenges me to ask: If I truly believe this is possible, what am I doing about it?
That question has changed how I approach my goals. I am learning not to wait until everything is perfect, but to start with what I have, take responsibility for what is within my control, learn from each experience, and keep moving.
I now see belief as a form of self-leadership: what I believe influences what I attempt, what I attempt shapes what I learn, and what I consistently practice shapes who I become.
Perhaps transformation begins when we stop asking, What do I want to receive? And start asking, Who must I become to create and sustain the future I desire?
For me, this is the deeper lesson of this verse: belief should move me. If what I believe does not change the choices I make, then it has not truly changed me.
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect.
Ummikaltum Ibrahim Umar
When I came across the verse, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”. (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11), I found myself thinking about how often we desire change in our lives while sometimes forgetting that change also requires something from us.
For me, this verse is a reminder that I have a role to play in the life I want to build. I can pray for better opportunities, success, peace, and a better future, but I must also be willing to work on myself and take the necessary steps toward those things.
It made me reflect on my mindset, my habits, my decisions, and the things that sometimes hold me back. I have realized that personal growth is not about becoming perfect. It is about being honest enough to recognize where I need to improve and courageous enough to start making those changes.
Sometimes, I may feel that my circumstances are beyond my control, but I can always choose how I respond to them. I can choose to learn instead of giving up, to keep trying when things do not work out, and to remain hopeful even when the outcome is uncertain.
I also understand the verse as a reminder that transformation takes consistency. One small positive change may not seem significant today, but with time, it can completely change the direction of my life. This has encouraged me to focus less on changing everything at once and more on becoming a better version of myself, one step at a time.
Most importantly, the verse has helped me understand that faith and action should work together. I can put my trust in Allah, pray for guidance and blessings, but I must also do my part. I should not simply wait for my circumstances to change when there are things within me that I can change.
As I continue this journey of personal transformation, I want to become more intentional about the person I am becoming. I want to develop greater self-discipline, confidence, patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning.
My biggest takeaway is that I may not have control over everything that happens in my life, but I have a responsibility for what I do with it. If I want to see meaningful change around me, I must first be willing to look within myself and begin the change there.
This reflection has reminded me that transformation is a journey, not an event. I am still learning, still growing, and still becoming and I believe that every intentional step I take today can bring me closer to the person I aspire to be.
Thank you for creating a platform that encourages us to look inward, take responsibility for our growth, and become better leaders of our own lives.
Chinedu and Ummi’s reflections begin with verses from different religious traditions, yet both arrive at the same insight: We cannot bring about the change we want in our lives by waiting for something or someone to change our circumstances. We must actively look for what needs to change within us. In other words, consistently ask: What kind of person must I become in order to live the life I want to live?
Sometimes change begins with questioning a belief that has limited our sense of what is possible. Sometimes, it requires developing a new habit, acquiring a new sense of self, or finding the courage to take a step we have been postponing.
This does not mean that everything in life is within our control. It means recognizing the agency we do have, even when our circumstances are difficult or uncertain.
Chinedu asks a great question: Who must I become to create and sustain the future I desire?
And Ummi reminds us that becoming that person is not a single event. It is a journey of intentional choices, small changes, and consistent practice.
Here I’d like to remind you something we explore in Pathfinders: the power of intention and attention.
Our intention helps us become clear about the future we want to build and the person we aspire to become. Our attention brings into focus what we nurture, and determines what becomes possible for us. Together, attention and intention help us move from wishing for change to actively participating in it.
So, dear Pathfinders, I invite you to make time to contemplate these questions:
What kind of life do I want to live? Who must I become to build and sustain that life? And where am I directing my attention today?
As Chinedu and Ummi point out, you do not need to have all the answers. You do not need to wait until you feel ready. And you certainly do not need to become anything other than what you are now before you begin.
You can begin with one intentional choice, one new practice, one courageous step.
The key point here is: It’s not enough to hope for a better future. Your desired future is something you can start building today. Make today count!
Dr. Rahel Kassahun
Founder, Africa Unbound
September 2026
