By Chioma Obinagwam
Every person enters the world with a purpose. That was the central message Pastor Femi Atoyebi (SAN), a prominent figure in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), delivered during a Special Sunday Service at RCCG Solidrock Parish in Ojodu, Lagos State.
Drawing from the first chapter of Jonah, Atoyebi warned that the moment anyone chooses to step outside God’s will, an alternative vessel is already waiting to carry them in the wrong direction.
”Anytime you choose not to follow God, the devil will find you an alternative ship that will take you to that destination,” he said.
His text was simple but striking: there is always a ship waiting to take you to Tarshish.
No One Is Here by Accident
Atoyebi opened his message by establishing a foundational truth. Every human life carries intention. He cited Isaiah 46:10, noting that God knows the end from the beginning, and referenced Jeremiah 20:11 to underscore that divine purpose cannot be thwarted when a person stays on course.
”As you come into this world, you have a purpose,” he told the congregation. “There is nothing like the baby was a mistake.”
The challenge, he argued, is that the enemy does not need to create obstacles. He simply offers options.
The Five Ships
Using the word “ship” as a framework, Atoyebi identified five relationship categories that can quietly redirect a person away from God’s plan.
1. Relation-ship
The company a person keeps is not a neutral matter. Atoyebi cited Psalm 1 and Proverbs 13:20 to warn that friendships either draw people closer to God or pull them away. He referenced the story of Korah and Dathan in Numbers 16 as a sobering example of how association with the wrong crowd ended in destruction.
”You can greet everyone,” he said, “but when it comes to relationships, you need to be careful.”
2. Companion-ship
Beyond casual friendships, mentors and close companions carry significant spiritual influence. Atoyebi pointed to 2 Timothy 4:10, where Paul noted that Demas had abandoned him, having loved the present world. He urged believers to evaluate who they follow and who shapes their thinking, referencing Psalm 133 and Hebrews 10:25 as examples of what genuine, God-centred companionship looks like.
3. Court-ship
The choice of a life partner is among the most consequential decisions a person makes. Atoyebi used the story of Samson and Delilah to illustrate how romantic involvement with someone outside God’s will can unravel even the most gifted life. He cited Judges 14:3 and recalled how Samson’s own family raised concerns that went unheeded.
4. Fellow-ship
Not every church or gathering that carries a spiritual name is spiritually safe. Atoyebi urged caution in choosing where to worship, reminding the congregation that Jesus himself warned in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who calls on his name is genuinely in his will. He noted that some ministers who started well have drifted significantly over time.
”The elect must be very careful,” he said. “Because if you are not careful, you can be deceived.”
5. Partner-ship
Business is not exempt from spiritual discernment. Atoyebi acknowledged the harsh economic climate in Nigeria and warned that financial pressure creates an opening for the enemy. When people partner with those God has not sanctioned, the enterprise becomes another vessel heading away from purpose.
”Times are hard,” he said, “and that is a recipe for the devil to find you an alternative ship.”
Stay on Course
Atoyebi closed with an assurance grounded in mercy. He expressed confidence that God’s love is strong enough to redirect those who have wandered. But he called on believers to be more deliberate going forward.
The message was clear: ships are always available, the boarding is often easy, and the destination can be far from where God intended. The responsibility lies in asking, before stepping aboard, where exactly this vessel is going.
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