BYM ONLINE DESK November 2019 Blessing Emagazine | Page 7

Almost there... but..
Jerisha Melbin, Missionary, Chennai
It was the early hours of September 7, 2019; a
time when the whole nation will normally be in a deep
sleep. But it was not so then. Thousands and
thousands from all over the world were waiting to
celebrate the landing of Vikram Lander from which
Pragyan rover will roll out to capture data from the
moon. After crossing a distance of almost 3,83,998
km and with just 2.1 km to touch the moon, the
connectivity was lost. Though some still lingered on
in hope, people started to wear a woebegone look. Has the love of money taken me a captive that
though I am involved in ministry, I help myself with
the ministerial contributions (Jn 12:6)? Am I so bent
upon hoarding money that I am unable to realize that I
am depriving myself of the Priceless Pearl, Jesus, in
order to fill my pocket with 30 pieces of silver (Mt
26:15)? Having walked with Him and seeing Him
perform scores of miracle, am I like Judas Iscariot
unable to trust Him for my physical needs that after
trying to gain the world, lose my soul (Mt 16:26)?
Will this be my state of affairs? Will I, having
run thus far miss the prize with such a negligible
distance? Though the scientists will pool in their best
and try to accomplish their mission, will I be able to
make good the loss at such a moment? Has the concept of 'safety', 'back-up', so filled
my thoughts that I do not hesitate to lie to my spiritual
leaders like Gehazi (to Elisha, 2 Ki 5:25) and Ananias
& Sapphira (to Peter, Acts 5:4,8)? Oh, let me not incur
a curse like Gehazi (2 Ki 5:27) but rather be the
servant who takes up the mantle of his master (1 Ki
19:21, 2 Ki 2:13). Let me store up treasures where it
will not be stolen or get rusted up (Mt 6:20) rather than
die like that couple who could not enjoy their hidden
wealth.
Am I like the rich young ruler (Mt 19: 16-29, Mk
10: 19-30, Lk 18: 18-30) who having followed all the
commandments since childhood could not gain
eternal life because he was unwilling to give up his
wealth? Am I so wedded to wealth that I cannot
forsake it to follow the Master? Have I forgotten that I
am just a steward and that I cannot own even a penny?
Have I forgotten to pray the prayer of Agur, “give me
neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily
bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown
you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'” (Prov 30: 8-9)?
November 2019 | www.bymonline.org | Page 7
Dearly beloved, let us give heed to what the
Spirit of the Lord says. We may have won many an
accolade like the church in Ephesus (Rev 2: 1-7). We
would have fought the fiercest of battle and stood still.
We may be able to identify a man of God, fight tooth
and nail with the wicked and hate those who propagate