Good Adviser: A light for my path

 

For my degree and postgraduate degree courses I study Political Science.  I am interested in it but I am not good at it.  For many, it was interesting in that they study the trend and put forward theories worth defending.   Moreover, the studies were aimed at providing best solutions or suggestions in the political arena.

Many things I had learned during the courses.  Among them was the importance of having good advisers in life.  The theories and case studies, as well as the critics are meant to serve as adviser for generations to come.  Although there are several attempts at providing proven method for building a welfare state, it failed to provide universal solutions for every problems in the political sphere.

While studying the ideologies and theories, it can be observed here that the thinkers, mostly, are NOT necessary the rulers of the state.  They served in the state, or for the rulers.   Here lies the importance of having good advisers in building a welfare state.  Many times political blunder committed or being committed are results of having shrewd and/or bad advisers or thinkers in the state and vice versa.  (I am not discussing here in details the cases being spoken about.)

The same applies to our lives as well.  We have the chances to choose our mentors at different phases of life.  For some, parents are their best mentor while there are lots of people who rejected their parent’s advice as well.  Their reasons for doing that will still differ and they might be able to defend their act.  Whatever is the situation, if the outcome is good for the family and the society, it might be acceptable for some.

More importantly, there is someone above all these ventures.  Some believes it while some challenges its existence.  We all know there is someone that rules us.  That governed the earth, much superior than earthly beings.  And for me, that is God.  He exists.  We are blessed to have Him easily accessible even in our life.  That, more than anything, who loves and teaches us to stay connected with Him.

A light in the way from up above

The Lord our God always wanted to show us His ways.  Seek advises from Him through His words; then our life here on earth would be worth living.  Our life here on earth is a preparation for what is going to happen next.  Life after death was promised.

Not only that, with God by our side we will find happiness in life; for His compassions failed not.  The way of accessing through to God is by studying His words and meditating on it.  The Holy Spirit will guide us in our thinking and in our activity.

The tongue of man or the word of God; we are given the liberty to choose.

Let me conclude here with verses from Psalms 119: 10-110. (With my emphasis added)*

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (And I failed)

I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.

(I know I have done little or nothing but please)

Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. (help me!)

I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word (I  really do!)

An Escape Route: Quiet Time

 

You already heard it couple of times, “The mind is willing but the body is weak.”    Here I’m not explaining about it.  It’s just a phrase, for many.

Birds sitting in a branch

There is an old Mango tree nearby.  Birds resting on its branches are a common sight.  I envy them a lot.  Straight to my window was their resting place.  When they are in chirping mood, it was a pleasant sight.  More than that, they take rest in the branches from the scorching heat of the sun in noontime.  They did not make noise nor do they disturb one another.  They are observing quiet time, I would say.  I’d love to join them.

I love loud music.  The louder it became the more I enjoyed.  But that was in the past.  After a series of hospital visits and the surgical procedure followed by medication, life is different.  My tolerance level changes.  Many times I would like to elude myself from the noisy atmosphere of the metropolitan city, where I lived now.  The melodious sound of the past became a loud noise in the ear.

After years of treatment, the body metabolism changes, this kept troubling normal life.   It was refreshing to tune into soulful songs at times.  The world now is full of innovative things for better living and enjoyment for the dwellers.  Noise was much contained than earlier.   Every small device produced noise, as it makes the owner kept excited.

With children, you need to talk and laugh more than being with adult person.  Being at home, I spent most of my time with our children, and I love it.  We fought hard to live up to each other’s expectations.  We needed to play and dance to keep them engaged and happy.  It keeps me active and alert.

In my younger days, I spent my time in the village, the country-side.  There, we hardly had good sound devices.  We were roaming in the quiet forest.  Back then, we talked about life in Metro Cities with great excitement.

Now all things has changed.  If there is a Bible and good books to read, I would want to escape in quiet place alone.  But that was not possible at all.  I’d love listening to the voice of God in the quietness of time.  There are so many things that stole our thinking and time.  May be that’s why quiet time was more important.

But quiet time alone, without God will serve no purpose.  We are blessed to have God who is always with us, in sickness and in health!

Related read: Stay Connected: Precautions

Finding Favor

Not by our choice we are given this life.  God had given us the privilege to live this beautiful life.   God created the earth and its inhabitants.  ‘And God saw that it was good,’ it is written.  We are one among them.  Then, sin entered the world.  It was growing ever since, it seems.  Now there is no one who can find favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their heart was only evil, continually.  And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord wanted to destroy them.  But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  Among mankind, it was only Noah who was still righteous.  Here we can see that the Lord was always watching mankind.

Noah was the only person who did not engrossed himself in the wickedness.  One commentary mentioned that the earth did not need rain till that time.  Dew drops were sufficient for the vegetation, which implies that it would difficult for him to believed God’s word about the ensuing flood.  In his great faith, he built an Ark as commanded, which saved his whole family and the creatures.

Noah was also a human like us.  He must have his chances to indulge in the wicked things.  Finding favor in the workplace and in the family itself is hard.  We knew it.  But consider this; Noah found favor in the Lord.  Let us also strive to find favor in the Lord first.  Then all things will fall in order in the workplace and in the family.

Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.  He did all things as commanded by the Lord.  He spent his time with the Lord.

While I was reading this, Enoch came to my mind.  Enoch walked with God, and God took him.  His death was not mentioned.  While walking with the Lord he was no more.  He spent his time with God.   God wanted friendship from us.  He wanted to stay connected, always.

God is good to those who seek refuge in Him.  He even saved them from the wicked world.  He did NOT let favoritism play spoilsport.  He is not selfish.  Should we try to find favor among our beings, it simply resulted in bitterness.  It won’t be longer still before God destroys the earth.  Let us seek refuge in Him.  In Him, we find comfort and complete happiness.

Does the way of the wicked instill fear?

Nearer we drew to Thee, our Rock of Refuge

Does the world call us to shun God?

Let us strive to walk with Him, always.

Abiding Grace: Small Stuff Big Stuff

 

In life, some make it big some make it small.  Achievements are what we are talking about.  Unlike any other thing, it depends on who measure it and how it is measured.  Some are born to perform big things while some performed small but very important things in life.

At least before you do something worthy, your life here on earth will not end.  God has purpose in your life.  That purpose, not everyone knew in their lifetime.  Still they have done their part.  Some knew it but deny it.  However, they came back to the One in time, before it’s too late.  You are surely to have contribution at least for people around you.  How you contribute will differ.

Moses with his staff as command by God

There are times when we felt we aren’t contributing.  We are supposed to be leading but it’s just impossible to achieve that Herculean task.  You hit a dead wall on your road.  You have no strength to overcome that particular obstacle.  Let me draw one instance in Moses’ life;

Moses denies his calling but he humbled and gave in to be part of God’s mission in bringing out the Israelites from Egypt.  With God by his side, the Israelites were delivered to begin their journey towards Canaan, the Promised Land.  But then, the Red Sea stands in their way.  What Moses did here was worth mentioning; he cried out to the Lord, and he obeyed His command to hold out his stick towards the sea. (read Exodus 14)

That’s not huge at all.  He needed to hold out his stick.  Moses did the small stuff; God did the big stuff.  Moses took time to talk with God in the midst of tumultuous groaning of the Israelites.  He had conversation with God, he seeks words from Him.  That gave him way forward.  The Red Sea was divided.  The children of Israelites walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.

When life’s tempest tossed, talk to Him; seek words from Him.  We needed to do something on our part as we see here in what Moses did.  Try to do something with what is in your hand however little they might be.  To reveal the faith within us, God wanted us to do the little thing.

Joshua was given seven days to perform the small stuff, that’s what he can do best in his might.  On the seventh day, God did the big stuff for His people.  The Wall of Jericho collapsed and they conquered the city. (read Joshua 6)

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…., God will do the big stuff.

Take your time and talk to God.  It is the contribution that matters whether big or small.  You don’t have to script your big time life story.  Perform the small stuff, with great faith.

*stuff: things, activities.  Little things Big things

Fallen Leaf

 

We were strolling in the park nearby with my little ones.  A cool breeze was blowing unexpectedly in the evening.  Scorching heat of the sun was experienced throughout the day.  By the way, it might rain tomorrow.

Few days ago, my children came home from school.  He said, “Daddy, I bring some home work for you. ”  The assignment was to make symbolic bird’s nest for school activity.   It was indeed homework for parents as Pre-school children are not able to do nothing on their own.

Fallen Leaf

Now, here in the park, we were searching for dry twigs and fallen leaves to make a symbolic bird’s nest for my children. My son refused to pick up some fallen leaves.  He told me that they were too new and looks so good to be picked up play with.  I told him that we need to pick them up as they cannot be put back in the branches.  “Oh!” he sighed.

While we were still under those trees, few leaves fall on the ground.  So my son was wondering, “Why are they falling down when they can be used by the tree?”

“The wind was blowing hard so they can’t stand the force,” I replied.

So we picked up the leaves, even the new leaves.  After all, they are fallen.  They are dead.

The process of photosynthesis was explained in its simplest terms.  And we talked about trees.  The importance of trees for clean air was reiterated.  Being responsible in our role and to live in harmony during our short span of life was also told.

The leaves, after they fell, are unable to perform their duties.  I told my children, “They did not travel.  They did not change places.  But still they have their given role.  They worked to sustain the life of the tree, where they grew.  They worked together responsibly.”

“When they move, they move together.  They did not complaint each other.  The green leaves look bright and happy, always.  They are shining because they are happy.”  I continued.

Yes, it might be simple and boring for adults.  But for children, they are in learning mode so they get attracted and learned the lessons in simple things too.  Many times, our life span was compared to the flowers, which dried up in the evening.

By now you must have known the reason I told this simple activity.  Living together responsibly and harmoniously is one among the essence of life.

You will always be mine

As a parent, I am not averse to mild physical punishment of children at home.  But it can be avoided or better still if it’s not necessary at all.  I hope we have our own view regarding it.  We can defend our own views too.  In that way, it depends on the one who use it and who don’t use it.

Years ago, I, unwillingly, had to administered the rod of discipline on my son for the first time.  All the negotiations had failed.  I had already told him if he didn’t abide with the authority (here the father i.e. me), physical punishment may ensue.

The case:  Playing time was over.  He demanded more.  It was time for just 10-15 minutes of learning.  He did not comply.  The authority was challenged.  If the authority can be surpassed every time, it’d had no meaning to its existence.  My son pleaded the wrong way, with crying and throwing the toys.  It was time to do something.

All possible efforts were done to let him know what he did was just wrong.  That is, to remain calm.  It was impossible to condone the situation.  So I administered what was promised, just two times.  He submitted himself right away.

I took him in my arms and held him tight.  We say prayer for forgiveness and ask God to help us in the future.  We acknowledge Him to be our witness.  And that, He bless our effort to be good and inculcate wisdom in the right way.  By the time we finished our prayer, we both said “Amen” in agreement.

My son said, “Papa, sorry!  I will be a good boy…” Tears of happiness ensued.  I gently rubbed his pain with my hands so that the pain might ease soon.   At the same time, I am comforting him.  Assuring him, whether good or bad he will always be mine.  I will always love him.  I also reminded him it was out of love, and it won’t happen again unless otherwise needed.   In a moment, both of us became happy.

By the way, we all need to know there is a higher authority in the society and in the world.  Those who can outrun authority from childhood are a menace to the society.  By the time they grow up, none can teach them the right way.  They cannot live responsibly in the realm of the society.  They have power within them, they thought.

It’s just that we needed to react in time.  Love can sometimes be painful though!

Dear son, I love you more.  You will always be mine!

*(This is written based on my journal some years ago.)

Nurturing young minds

They were playing with their toys.  Enacting stories to the best effort they can achieve.  The elder would perform monologue when he feels like.  The younger appreciated the effort of her brother.  Laughter and cheering filled the room.  It is the ideal atmosphere every family would dream of.

The words spoken were pure, coming straight from the heart.  There is no sign of manipulating any situation created so that one might gain edge over the other.   Two kids enjoying their time with the few toys they had.  When they need to use rude words, I enquired where they heard the words.  It was from us parents or from outside the house.  They learned from what they saw and heard.

I hardly interfere while they were playing.  Since becoming a stay-at-home dad, I had the privilege of watching nearby them.  Whenever they needed an extra person for role-playing, I’d dropped in.  I served, mostly, as their quick dictionary or adviser the whole time.  It was worth the wait and the watch.  I feel like saying, folks don’t grow up.  The world is full of evil minds.  But I cannot do that either.

Many thoughts came to my mind; before they became intoxicated with the real world full of crooks.  The phrase, ‘Grow up! Get a life!’ was used many times, to the honest and kind-at-heart kids, who are not willing to get adapted to the cruel world.  Can you imagine what the world has become?  Our kids are at risk whenever they step out of the house.  Worst still, some are at a greater risk at home.

What have the human heart become?  What goes wrong?  Oh my!  There are so many things to tell.  Give the kids their own space. Nurturing and caring them to illuminate their innate being to create better societal values may lead to more peaceful surroundings, mind you.  The more we become old the more our minds get corrupted with evil thought.

By teaching them the way of life, sometimes I feel, we are simply imbibing the ideals of a cruel world.  ‘You know son, when you go out you should be careful not to talk to any stranger’ was a common piece of advice we gave them.  ‘They are not good people, avoid them as you can’.  We taught them so that in the least they can help us in safeguarding them.  That’s our duty.  But on the flip side, we are teaching them bad things that can be done.  You might not agree here.  I did not fully agree though.  But I wanted to emphasize on the condition of the world we lived in.

Had the minds been still pure as they did in our younger days, the world would be full of laughter and happiness.  Still we can something starting from our home to change the world.  Nurture the young minds to live up to their mind.  Bringing up children, if taken seriously, was a big challenge.  To bring up a peace-loving and harmonious mind in today’s world would be a huge challenge.  Still then, our best should be tried.

There are a tremendous amount of good things to learn from children.  Corrupted minds and corrupted thoughts should learn lessons from the young minds.  But who would do that!  We don’t have time for others, nor do we try to learn that costs nothing.

Abiding Grace: Death Conquered!

The news came, ‘our Dad passed away just now’.  Flashback on the life of my father came like lightning in my mind.  Daddy taught us many things in his lifetime.  Among them was his firm believe in the Resurrection of Christ.  In that moment of our grief, ‘Daddy must be meeting his Savior now.  He holds onto his faith until he breathe his last.  How blessed is he!’  For mankind death is inevitable.  Since Dad had already proclaimed Jesus Christ as his Savior, it was just a matter of time till we met Him.

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.*

Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross; His body was claimed by one rich man, Joseph of Arimathea.   With Pilate’s permission, they took His body, wrapped in clean linen cloth with spices, and buried Him in his new tomb in a garden.  Nicodemus and others accompanied him in the whole thing.  Jesus was buried in accordance with Jewish burial customs.  Again, with Pilate’s permission, the tomb was guarded. (Matthew 27:62-66)

For the disciples, Jesus was the Son of God; God in the flesh.  In Him, they believed.  Yet they might have expected that in some ways He might skipped death.  But that does not happen.  They saw Him suffering, they saw him dying.  They might be pondering, ‘Oh my! He was the Son of God.  How can this happen to Him?  But now He was dead’.  So they locked themselves in the upper room, where they had the Passover Meal the day before, fearing they too might face the same fate.  Can you see yourself here?

In His death, Jesus Christ set free the dead.  On the third day, He rose from the dead.  Mary Magdalene went to anoint His dead body accompanied by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  They found the tomb open.  Jesus was no more there inside.  The angels told them He has risen!  The angels told them to meet Him in Galilee as they had been foretold. Jesus Christ, in his body, met his disciples here.  Apostle Paul recorded Jesus Christ appeared to the twelve disciples, and then to more than five hundred people, and so on. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Let me leave the proceedings of the resurrection here.   Scientists and Researchers keep working on the evident, which are given knowledge for that purpose only.

This particular situation happened many times in life.  We know God is there, but sometimes He just seems dead.  He was not working, it seems.  He has promised us His presence and we know He had all things under Him.  But sadly, He was dead like normal human.  They could no longer talk to Him. We did pray to Him but somehow, we feel, He just did not do anything.  We feel lonely; we feel we are left to fend by ourselves.  It was hard to get through even one night in the wilderness.  Have you been that road? I had.

But it doesn’t end here.  He rose again.  When they most needed Him, He appeared in their midst, out of nowhere.  Even for the ‘Doubting Thomas’, He was there to show the nail marks, and in his reached to even touch Him.  He was kind enough to clear the doubts of Thomas.  He will also clear our doubts one day, in whatever way is best for us.  Keep the faith.  He is available for every situation, for every type of person.

Death, the most feared fate of man, has been conquered.  All our fears and doubts will also be conquered.  The resurrection is the vindication of His teachings.  Christ the Victor proclaimed victory over Evil.  Even death could not hold Him longer.  The hope of life after death was reaffirmed.  One day, we will be joining Him in the celebration.  The dark night is going to pass soon. What a great day it would be when I see my Savior face to face.

*1 Corinthians 15:14

 

Words spoken on the Cross

The time has come for the Son of God to bear the sin of humanity. His disciples are in awe of His words.  They were told what was going to happen next. Still it was hard for them to believe.  Jesus Christ was their Master but then He had to accomplish His great mission.

Jesus Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane; His soul exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  “Let this cup pass from me, O my Father, if possible, nevertheless not as my will, but as you will.”*

In short, He was sentenced to death by the so-called righteous. Jesus Christ was condemned by the righteous.  He was tortured, bored His cross to Calvary.  He was lifted up on the cross, naked and humiliated.

Jesus Christ carried the sin of humanity with Him, so that we may live. I wanted to take you back to Mount Calvary to show empathy with His words.  I want to list out His last words as Jesus Christ was being crucified on the cross:

Here is your mother (John 19:27)

He saw His mother weeping at His feet.  He entrusted the disciples to take care of His mother, as He was on a mission.  Love for His mother as a human must be there.  He was very much concerned with what His mother has gone through.  Can you see the emotional pain both would have experienced at this time?

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)

Vengeance is mine, declared the Lord.  But still, Jesus Christ seeks forgiveness for the evildoers to His Father.  The ‘evil inside us’ caused us to do things we don’t even understand.  Did you imagine what causes the human race to do such cruelty on another human being?  That needs to be conquered.  This is the height of forgiveness that we are being offered or we can enjoy because of the sacrifice of the Son of God Himself.

Truly I tell you; today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

Jesus Christ was hanged between two thieves, who were crucified because of their own sin. He spent his whole life with the outcasts, tax collector, prostitutes, and the downtrodden people.  To the two thieves, the law of the mankind had awarded them death.  Earthly beings cannot grant you life apart from death.  But here, the thieves had their golden chance for life, which the other still denied.  It marked the width of God’s mercy and salvation.

Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani.  (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)

When Jesus Christ bore the sin of humanity, the weight of sin was too much to bear.  God did not love sin.  Many times, we feel forsaken when we sinned.  The loneliness we experience, the emptiness was all because of sin.  Atonement for our sin was made by the blood of Jesus Christ.  In sufferings, if God is by your side you will find solace.  It signifies how sin had distance us from God.

I am thirsty. (John 19:28)

He was a human being.  He was dehydrated, lip parched.  These words reminded me of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the Samaritan woman.* Jesus Christ told her; whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.  The source of living water was drying up for you.  By His thirst we became welled up.

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. (Luke 23:46)

In His sufferings, Jesus Christ shows the model of prayer.  Into yours I commit myself, use me, shape me, and mold me, to be useful for you.  I surrender all.  I surrender all my beings to you. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.**  In happy and in hard times, in sickness and in health, I place my life at your hands.

It is finished. (John 19:30)

Jesus Christ uttered these words.  God in the flesh breathe His last.  A powerful word of victory has been declared.   He offered himself fully to God on behalf of mankind.  This is the word that changed the world.  The fortune of the world was overturned, for those who believe in.  A plan was fulfilled, salvation was made possible.

Now, many of those who are present and taking part in the scene did not recognized what was really happening.  Some cast lots for His cloth.  Some saw the unusual things as they unfolded.  They stood at His feet facing Him.  Just one person, the centurion, was recorded saying, “Surely, this man was the Son of God.”

Please consider these few questions: Where did you stand? Did you believe Him? Are you still a bystander near the cross?  Does it mean anything to you? Are you among the righteous that condemned Him?

*Matthew 26:42, John 4, Romans 12:1, Mark 15:39

Destination Home

It was one among those many days, where I needed to rush home soon, before the end of normal working hours.  Sometimes, I needed rest or medication even in the middle of the day.  On a normal days, I always waited for working hours to end.  I’d do double checking of the work performed in the day to make sure there were no hanging transactions.  I’d even help my colleagues in doing that.

But many times, I had to rush out from the air-conditioned room, as my neurological disorder threatens to strike anytime.  As always, I need space and fresh air.  It was difficult to be in a close room.   But then I need to get home by any means. I’d entered underground subway station, which was rather crowded and lack fresh air.  I waited for a few minutes after which I boarded the train with destination to my residence.

Three or four stations passed by before I need to get out as I sense something is wrong in my body.  The positive side was that I am blessed with auras, which give me time to react or take medicines. On a normal days, I need not get down before I reached my destination.

I’d sat there on the ground leaning my back on the erstwhile pillar inside the underground subway station.  I’d called home informing my situation and the name of the subway station I’m in.  I’d request them to call in my cell phone after every five or ten minutes, to check on me or to help keep me awake.

To get home, I knew, I had to get back on train but I can’t until my condition gets better.  At last, I took my stance and decided to get back on the next trains.  Without doing that I could never get home.  The insecurities I had at these times were indescribable.   Many times I don’t know whether I would even get home, ever.  Will I be brought to hospital first or at home, was the big question looming large in my mind.

Now I want you to consider something here:  Jesus bore my iniquities to the cross before I was even born.  That was more than enough to get me home with Him in eternity.  To have that privilege, I need to do just one thing on my part, to confess my iniquities and give my life to Him.  That is the beginning of my journey towards eternal life.  However, if I didn’t take that particular step, the eternal life promised becomes and will always be a distant dream.  We were more valuable to Him than we value ourselves.  We are made to His children lest we deny it.

As you can see, I need to do something on my part to get home despite my illness threatening.  In the same way, I need to make my decision or take necessary step to have that promise of eternal life even after death.  Missed your chance? No problem, this is another chance because I am reminding you now.  Let Him have your life, it will be renewed.  I also let few trains had passed but I need to get up despite my problem.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.*

Back to my journey home, it doesn’t matter whether I ended up being in a hospital first before I get home.  I am blessed to get home to be with my family.  These are the adversities that drew me closer to God.  It may be mentioned here that many times  ‘the WHY ME, GOD? WHY? moments’ struck me.   But He carried me through on His shoulder to let me see the beauty of another day.  And I am more than thankful for that.

All my sufferings are nothing in comparison with the sufferings Jesus Christ bear for us in his final days.  The humiliation, the curse, the physical torture, the loneliness, the pain…., all suffered for me to live.  He will lead me home, one day.

 *1 Corinthians 1:18