BYM ONLINE DESK November 2019 Blessing Emagazine | Page 8

false doctrines. All said and done, have we lost our
first love? Have we forgotIt 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.
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?
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)?
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
November 2019 | www.bymonline.org | Page 8
trying to gain the world, lose my soul (Mt 16:26)?
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.
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
false doctrines. All said and done, have we lost our
first love? Have we forgotten to carry out our former
deeds? Let us repent! The Holy Spirit has clearly
shown us where we have fallen. May He forgive us
and give us the time and grace to rectify it. May the
words, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid
up for me the crown of righteousness” ( 2 Tim 4:7,8)
be true in our life and not be a mere inscription on our
tombstone.
en to carry out our former deeds? Let us repent! The
Holy Spirit has clearly shown us where we have
fallen. May He forgive us and give us the time and
grace to rectify it. May the words, “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness” ( 2 Tim 4:7,8) be true in
our life and not be a mere inscription on our
tombstone.