Dear Father, In a world full of people, how can You ask such a question? I came across a passage in Isaiah which says, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” At first, I wondered why You would ask this, but I understood it better. First, these two questions were not necessarily repeated in different ways to lay emphasis; rather, they give insight into two different areas: availability and willingness. “Who is available to go, and who is willing to actually go?” For instance, an employer, in an attempt to engage capable hands, may first struggle with his options. His decision may be affected by factors such as the skills available, his ability not only to afford them but also his willingness to pay, and their desire to accept such roles. But You have no such limitations, which is why I wondered why, with billions of people in the world at Your call and varying talents at Your disposal, You could use anyone yet You still asked, “Whom shall I send?” Perhaps You have experienced what it means to look through billions and scarcely find one. Because although the multitude may increase Your chances, it does not equate to availability, and availability differs from willingness. Isaiah responds to both questions, saying, “Here am I; send me,” signifying both his availability and his willingness to go. So the search continues for one who is not just available but willing to pay the price for what it means to be sent. Today, I pondered not my availability but my willingness. And sincerely, Father, I may be as bold as Isaiah to say, “Send me,” but in reality, the effort I put into being sent pales in comparison to the level of my availability. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #availability #willingness #assignment #commitment

Dear Father, In a world full of people, how can You ask such a question? I came across a passage in Isaiah which says, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” At first, I wondered why You would ask this, but I understood it better. First, these two questions were not necessarily repeated in different ways to lay emphasis; rather, they give insight into two different areas: availability and willingness. “Who is available to go, and who is willing to actually go?” For instance, an employer, in an attempt to engage capable hands, may first struggle with his options. His decision may be affected by factors such as the skills available, his ability not only to afford them but also his willingness to pay, and their desire to accept such roles. But You have no such limitations, which is why I wondered why, with billions of people in the world at Your call and varying talents at Your disposal, You could use anyone yet You still asked, “Whom shall I send?” Perhaps You have experienced what it means to look through billions and scarcely find one. Because although the multitude may increase Your chances, it does not equate to availability, and availability differs from willingness. Isaiah responds to both questions, saying, “Here am I; send me,” signifying both his availability and his willingness to go. So the search continues for one who is not just available but willing to pay the price for what it means to be sent. Today, I pondered not my availability but my willingness. And sincerely, Father, I may be as bold as Isaiah to say, “Send me,” but in reality, the effort I put into being sent pales in comparison to the level of my availability. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #availability #willingness #assignment #commitment

Dear Father, There is a common tendency among humans to try to alter the way people perceive us. Often, this isn't something we do by explicitly saying, “This is who I am.” It just happens subconsciously that the major motive driving our pursuits isn't just our progress, but not to be seen as failures by the people whose perspectives matter greatly to us. Today, I pondered the conversation Jesus had with His disciples when He asked them, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” This very question is asked and debated everywhere around the world today. I would expect that, in seeking to understand the identity of a person, we would first seek out conversations like this. But sadly, there is more to obtaining the truth behind this revelation than the natural perception of people. The disciples responded, saying, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Jesus then said unto them, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus responded to Peter, saying, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” I hate to write this to You, Father, but despite this conversation, some still say that Jesus was just a prophet. Perhaps this is the very plan of the enemy: to steal the truth despite its revelation. Perhaps it is because the truth behind this revelation is the very determinant of our salvation and right standing with You. Or perhaps it is because it requires more than intellectual debate to see beyond the veil of Jesus' very purpose on earth. This Scripture reveals Jesus’ interest in knowing that we have the right perception of Him. Because this revelation changes everything. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #Revelation #JesussonofGod #Hisdivinity #God #JesusisLord

Dear Father, There is a common tendency among humans to try to alter the way people perceive us. Often, this isn't something we do by explicitly saying, “This is who I am.” It just happens subconsciously that the major motive driving our pursuits isn't just our progress, but not to be seen as failures by the people whose perspectives matter greatly to us. Today, I pondered the conversation Jesus had with His disciples when He asked them, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” This very question is asked and debated everywhere around the world today. I would expect that, in seeking to understand the identity of a person, we would first seek out conversations like this. But sadly, there is more to obtaining the truth behind this revelation than the natural perception of people. The disciples responded, saying, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Jesus then said unto them, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus responded to Peter, saying, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” I hate to write this to You, Father, but despite this conversation, some still say that Jesus was just a prophet. Perhaps this is the very plan of the enemy: to steal the truth despite its revelation. Perhaps it is because the truth behind this revelation is the very determinant of our salvation and right standing with You. Or perhaps it is because it requires more than intellectual debate to see beyond the veil of Jesus' very purpose on earth. This Scripture reveals Jesus’ interest in knowing that we have the right perception of Him. Because this revelation changes everything. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #Revelation #JesussonofGod #Hisdivinity #God #JesusisLord

Dear Father, We are not told how much time went by between the serpent’s conversation with Eve about the forbidden fruit and her eventual eating of it. The Scripture moves from the serpent saying, “Ye shall not surely die,” to saying, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat...” It is almost as though she ate the fruit immediately after her conversation with the serpent, but perhaps this is not how the story unfolds. What if there was a process of meditation after that conversation? Or perhaps one where, each time she walked around the garden and saw the fruit, she remembered the conversation. Perhaps, daily, her conviction concerning Your instruction weakened, while her desire for the fruit was strengthened. Because it was not a fair argument where words combat words, but a statement requiring performance while initiating contact with a seed in her. The serpent is cunning, not often intending that sin should befall us instantly, but strategically planting seeds and patiently watching them grow. Unlike the popular belief where rising seems planned while falling seems instantaneous; falling, too, is often premeditated. In instances where doubt has lingered a little too long in our hearts, and we entertain questions without appropriate responses, which eventually lead to weakened convictions. Because daily, all we see is the fruit, with just about the right seed of desire in us for compromise. And in situations where words are meant to combat words, I hope not to be found without. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #temptation #sin #seeds #risingandfalling

Dear Father, We are not told how much time went by between the serpent’s conversation with Eve about the forbidden fruit and her eventual eating of it. The Scripture moves from the serpent saying, “Ye shall not surely die,” to saying, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat...” It is almost as though she ate the fruit immediately after her conversation with the serpent, but perhaps this is not how the story unfolds. What if there was a process of meditation after that conversation? Or perhaps one where, each time she walked around the garden and saw the fruit, she remembered the conversation. Perhaps, daily, her conviction concerning Your instruction weakened, while her desire for the fruit was strengthened. Because it was not a fair argument where words combat words, but a statement requiring performance while initiating contact with a seed in her. The serpent is cunning, not often intending that sin should befall us instantly, but strategically planting seeds and patiently watching them grow. Unlike the popular belief where rising seems planned while falling seems instantaneous; falling, too, is often premeditated. In instances where doubt has lingered a little too long in our hearts, and we entertain questions without appropriate responses, which eventually lead to weakened convictions. Because daily, all we see is the fruit, with just about the right seed of desire in us for compromise. And in situations where words are meant to combat words, I hope not to be found without. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #temptation #sin #seeds #risingandfalling

Dear Father, We were taught that You brought all the animals to the man to see what he would name them: “and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” Although there is more to this naming than the noun naming of things, this Scripture speaks primarily to identification and designation. There is no explicit description of how this happened, but I can infer from its Hebrew translation that Adam observed the nature of every animal and distinguished them by it. However, today I am interested in pointing out that Your very act of bringing the animals to him signified something we seldom speak about: that man was given authority not just to name things, but that by our concept of them, they are identified. This was more than just a naming ceremony; perhaps it was a prophetic demonstration of identity: “You are what I have called you to be.” In the beginning, You were intentional about bringing us into the experience of everything You created us to be. And in this regard, perhaps it means that we are responsible for the naming, identification and designation of everything that relates to us, including our situations. And so, on the eighth day, we name our children, and we name our inventions. But in a way we may not be aware of, we have been given authority beyond the noun naming of things. I've realized that our experiences often become a reflection of our concept of the situations we find ourselves in, and we are sometimes unaware that, in a way, we named them. When You watched Adam, You demonstrated that naming should be an intentional act. And sadly, whether we know it or not, we exercise this authority. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #naming #identification #purpose #authority

Dear Father, We were taught that You brought all the animals to the man to see what he would name them: “and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” Although there is more to this naming than the noun naming of things, this Scripture speaks primarily to identification and designation. There is no explicit description of how this happened, but I can infer from its Hebrew translation that Adam observed the nature of every animal and distinguished them by it. However, today I am interested in pointing out that Your very act of bringing the animals to him signified something we seldom speak about: that man was given authority not just to name things, but that by our concept of them, they are identified. This was more than just a naming ceremony; perhaps it was a prophetic demonstration of identity: “You are what I have called you to be.” In the beginning, You were intentional about bringing us into the experience of everything You created us to be. And in this regard, perhaps it means that we are responsible for the naming, identification and designation of everything that relates to us, including our situations. And so, on the eighth day, we name our children, and we name our inventions. But in a way we may not be aware of, we have been given authority beyond the noun naming of things. I've realized that our experiences often become a reflection of our concept of the situations we find ourselves in, and we are sometimes unaware that, in a way, we named them. When You watched Adam, You demonstrated that naming should be an intentional act. And sadly, whether we know it or not, we exercise this authority. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #naming #identification #purpose #authority

Dear Father, We were taught that You brought all the animals to the man to see what he would name them: “and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” Although there is more to this naming than the noun naming of things, this Scripture speaks primarily to identification and designation. There is no explicit description of how this happened, but I can infer from its Hebrew translation that Adam observed the nature of every animal and distinguished them by it. However, today I am interested in pointing out that Your very act of bringing the animals to him signified something we seldom speak about: that man was given authority not just to name things, but that by our concept of them, they are identified. This was more than just a naming ceremony; perhaps it was a prophetic demonstration of identity: “You are what I have called you to be.” In the beginning, You were intentional about bringing us into the experience of everything You created us to be. And in this regard, perhaps it means that we are responsible for the naming, identification and designation of everything that relates to us, including our situations. And so, on the eighth day, we name our children, and we name our inventions. But in a way we may not be aware of, we have been given authority beyond the noun naming of things. I've realized that our experiences often become a reflection of our concept of the situations we find ourselves in, and we are sometimes unaware that, in a way, we named them. When You watched Adam, You demonstrated that naming should be an intentional act. And sadly, whether we know it or not, we exercise this authority.

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church?

Dear Father, There's a concept I'd like to discuss that may or may not be applicable in every regard: manifestation is often strengthened by ample time and fervency in preparation. When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, where He went missing. The Scripture records that, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” I initially intended to assume that Jesus began preparing for ministry when He was twelve years old. But if, at twelve, the doctors were already astonished by His responses to their questions, then there was more to His preparation than the Scripture tells us. And it gets interesting because He began His ministry at thirty and ended it at thirty three. So perhaps, it took Him eighteen years, plus the time that was not stated, to prepare for what lasted for three and a half years. And it is easy to think, “Why should I be surprised by Jesus’ display of wisdom at twelve?” But the Scripture tells us “He grew in wisdom and understanding.” I believe I can take from this that the greater the assignment, the more time may be required for preparation. This revelation can help us in seasons when we grow weary because it seems as though the world has moved on and we are stuck, all the while preparing and watching others soar. Every assignment carries its own appointed time in destiny. Perhaps we would be more intentional about how we prepare if we remain aware of the magnitude and uniqueness of our assignment, rather than allow ourselves be consumed by the length of time it requires. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #planning #destiny #seasons #time

Dear Father, There's a concept I'd like to discuss that may or may not be applicable in every regard: manifestation is often strengthened by ample time and fervency in preparation. When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, where He went missing. The Scripture records that, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” I initially intended to assume that Jesus began preparing for ministry when He was twelve years old. But if, at twelve, the doctors were already astonished by His responses to their questions, then there was more to His preparation than the Scripture tells us. And it gets interesting because He began His ministry at thirty and ended it at thirty three. So perhaps, it took Him eighteen years, plus the time that was not stated, to prepare for what lasted for three and a half years. And it is easy to think, “Why should I be surprised by Jesus’ display of wisdom at twelve?” But the Scripture tells us “He grew in wisdom and understanding.” I believe I can take from this that the greater the assignment, the more time may be required for preparation. This revelation can help us in seasons when we grow weary because it seems as though the world has moved on and we are stuck, all the while preparing and watching others soar. Every assignment carries its own appointed time in destiny. Perhaps we would be more intentional about how we prepare if we remain aware of the magnitude and uniqueness of our assignment, rather than allow ourselves be consumed by the length of time it requires. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #planning #destiny #seasons #time

Dear Father, Today, I pondered the story of Samson. When his hair was shaved and he was tied up by the Philistines. The Scripture says, “Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” His words revealed the confidence he had in his ability. If shaking himself was what he had always done to obtain victory, then shaking himself was what he believed he needed to do again. This, I believe, is the subtlety of strength: when the confidence of a man rises in unhealthy proportion to the mastery of his abilities, causing him to believe that his strengths are strong enough to stand even in the absence of discipline and structure, often upholding the mindset that continual victory is sustained by his past record of victory. Apostle Iren advised that we must be people of discipline, even in areas where we are not struggling. This stands out to me because it is easy to think that discipline belongs to areas of weakness, and that with matters of strength, I would simply shake myself. But the very best are not still standing on the strength of their abilities, but on their commitment to the structures that have sustained them. Samson became so accustomed to demonstrating strength that he was careless with the structure You had laid down for his preseveration. And today, I ponder the structures I should uphold but do not, for the sake of mastery in my abilities. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #structures #discipline #selfsufficiency #strength

Dear Father, Today, I pondered the story of Samson. When his hair was shaved and he was tied up by the Philistines. The Scripture says, “Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” His words revealed the confidence he had in his ability. If shaking himself was what he had always done to obtain victory, then shaking himself was what he believed he needed to do again. This, I believe, is the subtlety of strength: when the confidence of a man rises in unhealthy proportion to the mastery of his abilities, causing him to believe that his strengths are strong enough to stand even in the absence of discipline and structure, often upholding the mindset that continual victory is sustained by his past record of victory. Apostle Iren advised that we must be people of discipline, even in areas where we are not struggling. This stands out to me because it is easy to think that discipline belongs to areas of weakness, and that with matters of strength, I would simply shake myself. But the very best are not still standing on the strength of their abilities, but on their commitment to the structures that have sustained them. Samson became so accustomed to demonstrating strength that he was careless with the structure You had laid down for his preseveration. And today, I ponder the structures I should uphold but do not, for the sake of mastery in my abilities. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #structures #discipline #selfsufficiency #strength

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French in comments Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French in comments Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting.

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend.

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #assignment #stewardship #consecration #talents

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #assignment #stewardship #consecration #talents