Chosen Not Cheated: Discover God's Goodness Through Life's Detours, Denials and Doubts

by Koki Oyuke

Every heart longs for meaning. We all want to know that our being here, that our lives, small as they seem at the moment, bear deep significance. But we live in a fallen world, one that shines a light on the popular and successful. So our hearts thin a little each day as the sting of rejection burrows deep into our homes, schools and workplaces. And our lives go unnoticed. We wonder, "Is this it? Is there more to my life? Is God even here with me or will I only find Him at the peak of the mountain called success?"

Chosen Not Cheated seeks to answer these questions and more. It's a book for those of us who've lived most of our lives feeling ripped off; an offering for those of us who feel cheated, unseen and behind in life while everyone else's seems to be on course.

Through a mix of wit, candour and biblical story, Koki invites us to look back at our lives to see all the ways we have been chosen by God especially when we feel cheated. We tend to think chosen means easy, and big, and great, and definitely without challenges, but that's the lie that sinks our dreams. We will seldom leave this life without a few bruises or the stink of death. But right there, in the mess, is where we find the sparks of chosen, the everyday holy, the God with us through it all.

This is a story about becoming in the in-between, thin and hard places we find ourselves in life. It's about scars—yours and mine—and the journeys that led to them. It's about discovering the stars that have been lighting our paths all along. Because we're chosen, not cheated.

250 pages, Hardcover

Published January 29, 2022

About the author

Koki Oyuke is a Kenyan author and publisher who is passionate about helping people have a 20/20 vision of themselves. Through delicate and intentional choice of words, Koki's books open up a reader's world and giving them permission to go confront what is often difficult to admit. She runs Kizuribooks to help authors self-publish their books as well as recommend her favourite books to read. If you're looking for her, she'll be on the sofa tippy typing her next book on her phone or laptop.

Reviews

[Mary Kamau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen Not Cheated is an exceptional book that shows you how to have a life that's measured by meaning—in success, in failure, in the ordinary and in the everyday. Through a perfect mix of hilarious and vulnerable tales, Koki takes us on her own journey of discovering what it means to live like one who's chosen.

[David Bargoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for anyone searching for their purpose in life

This book gives you the courage to pursue your dreams or if not yet there yet to be patient with God’s plan for you. The author is quite articulate and is a good story teller.

[Caroline W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely read. I needed to hear this now.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like walking through a museum of all my dreams coming true. Koki is a beautiful storyteller and reading this book felt like a conversation over a cup of coffee. I loved every page the laughter and the tears. I am clearly chosen and never cheated