Life Lessons From India
By Roger Kruse OMS India Field Leader
I remember the culture shock and intrigue that both repulsed and attracted me on my first visit to India in 1976. As I made heartfelt connections with Indian Christians in a horrendously poor slum in Mumbai, I cried. My parents probably thought I looked like“ death warmed over” when I arrived at the Cleveland airport after being quite sick on the long trip home. No wonder they hesitated when I announced in 1980 that I was going back to live and minister there full time! Nevertheless, they were delighted when I returned two years later with my wife Glenda, a New Zealand girl that I met in Chennai. Now, I am blessed to travel to India three times a year as a missionary with One Mission Society. Since 2009, I have made the 7,000-mile journey there and back well over 20 times.
Discerning God’ s will for our lives involves knowing God’ s Word, following the Holy Spirit’ s leadership, interacting and getting feedback from people who know us best, and discerning life circumstances that are always changing. For a guy that usually prefers the relatively safe and predictable life found in Middlefield, Ohio, India is a surprising destination. Yet, God, in his wisdom, has allowed me to invest myself there in ways that have given me amazing joy and fulfillment. So, just what has India taught me? What life lessons can I share that may help you?
1. We are incredibly blessed in the Western world. Instead of complaining, we ought to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and contentment for God’ s goodness.
2. Every culture has different practices and unique ways of celebrating life. Be willing to experience new things and discover an appreciation for the diversity of life expressed in ways that are different from ours.
3. Sharing what we have and giving generously to others increases our joy and fulfills God’ s purpose for us to love our neighbor.( The Indian people always demonstrate warm and even sacrificial hospitality.)
4. People matter most— not schedules, assignments, or pressing agendas. See life through the lens of how we can connect and encourage those we meet each day.
5. Hardship and suffering will likely come knocking at our door. Survival depends on faith, prayer, endurance, and maintaining hope for the help that God will send our way. Miracles can and do happen!
6. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things! Lack of education, physical disability, disadvantages of family background, financial limitations, or unlikely location need not hold you back. God uses people like you and me to help change the world for the better!
Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. By definition, every disciple of Jesus is called to be a learner. Look around and reach out in love to those who have come from other nations. We are all precious in God’ s sight.
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