A Letter to the 20 year old me....

Dear 20 year old me,

I hope you are doing well as you read this letter today. I am older now, with over 10 years of experiences and Gods daily saving grace that has made me who I am today. I hope I will inspire you to re-prioritize your life well with a few of these gentle reminders...

My dear… 10 years from now,

It will matter that you kept in touch with your Sunday school friends because they are the ones you grew up with, who know you the most, saw you at your worst, shared in your dreams, hopes and even pledged allegiance to your friendship. Remember it is possible to become a true loyal friend - “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.” 1 Samuel 18:1

 It will matter that you chose your new friends at college wisely, because by the time you

graduate you would have imbibed every ounce of each other and it would be quite unpleasant if they were nasty people with crude language and a rude sense of humor. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm” Proverbs 13:20

It will matter that you chose not to cheat or copy for exams, because if you cannot be faithful over the little things (like facing the consequences of failing an exam) then how will you face the bigger challenges of faithfulness in paying taxes, your insurance, credit card bills and loans. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:10.

 As lonely as it might turn out, it will matter that you waited for the right guy/girl to show up in God’s perfect timing, that you waited to know the person first and his/her commitment to your Lord Jesus before you became emotionally attached. I found this write up quite helpful: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/wait-to-date-until-you-can-marry

 It will not matter 10 years from now that people constantly put you down for not choosing the right career or course. If you have managed to academically excel and find peace in the path that God has chosen for you, then that is all you need. Remaining open to His will is all that counts. “Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16.

It will not matter who topped the Sunday school class on the number of memory verses or the final exam because if you cannot apply a single truth or do not agree with what you were taught there then you have learnt nothing at all. So, ask all the questions now rather than memorizing all the “right” answers, because the world you face (once you step out of the house), is going to add to all the confusion and chaos.

It will not matter that you were the most active person in your college fellowship, the one who initiated every prayer or gospel meeting or attended the most number of Bible studies – if your personal quiet time with the Lord was affected at every count, then you have chosen to be a Martha rather than Mary. “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42.

10 years from now you will realize that you wasted a lot of time wondering where you will be in 10 years.... So take one day at a time, enjoy your walk with the Lord and do not forget to keep an eye out for your brother/sister in Christ. Keep your selfishness in check and guard your heart fiercely for the days ahead are indefinitely evil.

Yours in His service,

#Martha

Five Loaves and Two Fish

The young boy hearing the sermon of Jesus just had five loaves and two fish. What could he make out of it? When he offered it to Jesus, it was multiplied. This was one of the biggest miracles that the people saw during the ministry of Jesus. It was indeed amazing to see that this little amount of food was used to feed more than five thousand people. Praise God!

Quite often we complain about what we lack. I wish I had a lot of money and I would have given so much to the Lord. I wish I had a good voice so that I could sing for the Lord. The list of our wishes and wants go on and on like that. But have we ever looked at what we already have? It might be true that you do not have the talent to preach like Billy Graham or the ability so sing like Don Moen. But haven’t you any talent at all? Isn’t there any loaf and fish in your plate that could be shared or multiplied? It is a fact that we all have some talents unique to us but often we deny it.

The young boy didn’t think a lot when he offered his food to the Lord. He did not argue or hold back what was dear to him. He offered freely in faith what he had without any grumbling. Some of us argue that there are so many out there to do the Lord’s ministry. What difference would I make by doing something? I am an ordinary believer and I wouldn’t be able to create any impact. The question is whether you have tried offering what you have to the Lord. The young boy did his part and five thousand were fed. You may never know the impact of offering what you have. Life is too short to grumble and waste. Jesus mentions in his parables about the man who hid his talents in the ground and was punished when his master returned. There is a day when our master will surely return and we would have to give an account of our lives to Him. So what about the five loaves and two fish that I gave you? Did you offer it to build God’s kingdom? How did you bring me glory with what you have?

“Take me and use as I am

Well it’s all I have to offer and it’s all I have to give

Two hands one heart

One life to offer you

Two hands one heart that’s what I give to You

Little becomes a lot

When it’s in Your hands”

Me, Mine, Ours...!!

This photo caption on a social media feed took my attention. It is a perfect caption for a family picture but I began to ponder upon the message that this caption holds. We are living in a world of nuclear families and selfish individuals where the boundaries of relations are often confined. A lot of families and individuals tend to themselves in this context. There is a lot of me, mine and ours where personal interests are paramount.

The words of Apostle James are noteworthy here in Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others". The early church stood out in this regard. They were selfless and had everything in common. There was so much of sharing and caring for one another and the world knew Christians for their unique character. The character of Christ and his teachings were so much in action through the lives of these selfless individuals, families and churches. However in modern times, Christ professing individuals have forgotten to adapt christian values in their lives. Personal interests are more important than those of others. There is more of me and less of us. The world is seeing less of Christ and more of self resulting in the loss of christian testimony in our communities. We are all often busy in our own lives that we do not even bother to say a greeting to our neighbor next door. We might communicate within our own family circles or churches but the world is seldom hearing Christ or feeling his touch in their lives.

The world needs a healing touch, they need someone to hear out their pain, to wipe their tears, to share words of love and compassion, to be a beacon of light in a world of darkness,to be their all ears and eyes. There is so much of hatred and cruelty in this world. As the salt of the world, it is the duty of the believers to bind the wounds of individuals that are hurt. They need to hear the message of the gospel. They need to see Jesus Christ who saves and not merely a mere person in history remembered for Christmas or Easter. The world still waits for individuals who can selflessly showcase Jesus Christ in action. May the selfless love and compassion of Jesus Christ esteeming other individuals than oneself pour out freely through our lives and into the needy around us.