Dear Father, Storms have a way of revealing the flawed and fragile parts of us. Scripture narrates a time when Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee: “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And Jesus was asleep in the hinder part of the ship; and they awake Him, and said unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” First, it is not unnatural to be anxious or afraid in such a situation, so it was not necessarily their fear that was the problem, it was the error their fear produced--a false judgment that Jesus’ stillness meant He did not care. It is easy to discuss stories while missing the most important aspect: how they apply to us. How often storms have led us to question Your love; how quickly Your silence becomes, in our minds, evidence of Your absence--so much so that we try to project our unrest onto You. As though the depth of Your love is measured by how much of our panic You are willing to mirror, or how visibly affected You are by our storms. How easily we forget: You are God, and what unsettles us do not unsettle You. Father, there are lessons we are meant to learn from Scripture, yet we have not fully outgrown the mistakes of those before us. We repeat them--so focused on the storms that we forget You are in our boat. And even when we remember, we still assume falsely; Should we be told that What terrifies us does not trouble You--it is subject to You. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #storm #peace #stillness #fear

Dear Father, When Isaac was old and his sight had failed, he asked Esau to prepare a meal so that he might bless him. But Jacob, his twin brother, came disguised as Esau, putting on animal skin, and presented the meal himself. Though Isaac said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau,” he did not discern him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s; so he blessed him. I marvel at the weight of the blessing he gave, even in the midst of uncertainty. Jacob’s voice and Esau’s hands--yet, he blessed him. I find myself pondering how often we, too, get caught in error when faced with weighty decisions in our own lives. We bind ourselves to lifelong endeavors and commitments with less skepticism than such decisions deserve. Yet wrong decisions made under pressure do not annul their consequences. At some point in our lives, we have all been victims of wrong decisions, understandably so, because we cannot always be right. So the problem is not that we are sometimes wrong, but that we are sometimes hasty when making these decisions, as though the thought process for meals should be the same as for choosing a life partner. There is so much that cannot be contained in one letter, Father: strategic thinking, necessary delays, watching and praying. Yet it comes down to this: light processes should not be trusted with heavy decisions. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #decisions #haste #commitments

Dear Father, In a world dominated by the struggle for survival, where many are burdened with a trunk of needs, whether it be basic or luxury--it takes intentionality to stand out. To not only see that our needs are met, but to live honorably while doing so. A kind of honor that is not hidden, but evident--so visible that it can be seen and even testified about. I ponder the story of Jabez in the scripture which says, “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.” Jabez experienced limitations in matters beyond his control: constrained by a label of sorrow laid upon him by his own mother. Yet he did not just strive; he did so honorably. I think of the many situations that pose as strongholds against our becoming: circumstances that seem to present justifiable grounds for actions and dispositions that are not right, yet feel excusable. For how do we remain joyful when we are called sorrow? How can we succeed when limitations seem to be what surround us? How can we be at peace in the midst of uncertainty? Much more than when or why success comes, Jabez reveals how--circumstances do not determine a less honorable life because honor, in truth, is a choice. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #survival #needs #honor

Dear Father, In an attempt to please You and have my life reflect Christ and the teachings of Scripture, I try to avoid unnecessary arguments. Sometimes, it becomes difficult because some disagreements are both necessary and unavoidable. And sadly, there is more to disagreements than necessity--there is also the disposition, thought pattern, and maturity of the opposing party. Paul advises Timothy in his epistle: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” How then do we respond in situations that are unavoidable and with people who are unreasonable? How do we communicate the need for flexibility to a person who is obstinate, especially in times where flexibility would bring greater efficiency? How do we maintain peace in the midst of people who are intentional about causing trouble? The issue, sadly, goes beyond what can be achieved solely by upholding high, godly standards of peace and unity, because unity is often the result of agreement. So, in practicing the difficult work of peace in the midst of conflict, we must also consider others. Strangely, peace is not confined to silence and silence is not always the language of peace, and a balance is necessary--that in upholding peace, we do not withhold truth, and in communicating truth, we remain mindful of human frailty. This is difficult, Father. I pray for wisdom. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #peace #disagreement #conflict #balance

Dear Father, There is a natural response in a man who feels unworthy of a privilege or gift he receives: he either idolizes the giver or overcompensates for receiving it. Strangely, this applies not only when a man feels unworthy, but when he is indeed qualified, yet feels undeserving. For our value does not always match our compensation. This can lead us to assume that a gift can cloud a man’s judgment, whether or not he is deserving of it. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, he ordered that a daily portion of food and wine from his table be given to the Jewish captives, and Daniel and his friends were among them. And the king’s food likely included items sacrificed to idols and things not in line with Jewish laws and beliefs. So, by eating the food, Daniel and his friends would indirectly participate in pagan rituals and compromise their values in You. I see how enticing it is to appreciate You for such a privilege to eat from the table of a king. Is this not what a natural man would do? To take less of value into consideration, and more of greatness. In subtler ways than we realize, proximity to gifts and privileges can reshape a person’s values. Yet Daniel and his friends refused to be blinded by privilege. How easily would we exchange our values for privileges, and offer thanksgiving in deceitful ignorance? If forced to choose between values and positions, which would prevail? Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #values #gifts #priviledge

Dear Father, Today, I discovered something about the creation story. The scripture records how, in the beginning, the earth was empty and dark, and You called forth light and created everything else on earth in response to what You had already observed. What amazes me, however, is that seven times throughout the chapter it is recorded that, for all You created, “You saw that it was good.” I see how what began with intention ended with satisfaction, because it wasn’t just about creating--You observed to ensure that all You created was good. We rarely discuss the attribute You possess to observe. I am reminded of the men who tried to build a tower to reach heaven, and how You also had an opinion about it. We don’t often pay attention to how You who examined creation still examines the work of our hands--perhaps because we are not aware of Your opinion regarding our creativity. I believe this is a discussion worth having: that when You commanded us to be fruitful and multiply, You were not just making a statement, You are also involved and committed to the process. Not only to observe what we do, but You also form an opinion about it, because my creativity is an extension of Yours when it glorifies You. Father, now that I am aware of Your interest in the works of my hands, I wonder, what would I do differently? Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Creation #observation #Godsnature #discovery

Dear Father, I’ve always thought it unfair that Jesus would curse a tree whose season had not yet come to bear fruit. The scripture says: “Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again,’ and the tree dried up.” But after further reflection, I discovered that fig trees usually bear small early figs called breba before their main season. So even if it wasn’t the full season, a healthy tree should have had something edible if it was already in leaf. And this tree had leaves, yet it had no fruit at all, not even breba. This reveals something deeper, not just about the tree but about us. There's the human tendency to overlook fruitfulness in its early stages, or to dismiss achievements that seem too small to celebrate. Like situations when we write a book and only a few people read it , or when we start a business and earn so little. However, we may not always consider that, although breba seems too small in our eyes, we cannot be without it, and who can tell when it will be needed? This makes breba just as important as the figs themselves, because the season before the main harvest is not lesser, only earlier. And often, the struggle to bear breba is almost as intense as it is to bear full fruit--because while recognition makes the latter feel worthwhile, in bearing breba a person may go unnoticed. Still, we cannot be without it. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fruit #tree #harvest #fruitfulness

Dear Father, Today I reflected on the tension within tradition: the parts of culture passed on from generation to generation, and its subtlety: how we are born into it and become accustomed to it long before we are wise enough to question its troubling practices. In several passages throughout Scripture, Jesus reveals how some strongly upheld practices are, in fact, without substance. For instance, when He healed a man with a withered hand and the Pharisees asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath day, He replied, saying, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!” The greater issue, however, lies in customary practices that contradict truth, and practices that appear spiritually strong, yet are hollow. I have seen how deeply this affects us globally: Christians, Muslims, and even unbelievers. We may remain committed to our daily prayer practices, but we often forget to take our hearts along. It becomes commitment, not relationship--and sadly, we can barely tell the difference. There are countless other beliefs that claim our loyalty, yet stand in contrast to true spiritual growth. Father, how can the world be healed? As for me, I will test all spirits: not only others, but my own assumptions, and pursue knowing You beyond what I have been taught about You. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #beliefsystem #tradition #knowingGod sabah

Dear Father, Joseph was a humble and honest man with a great future ahead of him, yet he was thrown in prison despite his innocence. The Scripture says, “Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” This would have been a deeply discouraging experience in his walk with You, yet he remained faithful, and even in prison, he was entrusted with leadership. Though a prisoner, he displayed the character of a king. This illustration reveals that: the crown may be hidden and the palace unseen, yet a king is known by the way he lives. However, I pondered on this: the prison holds not only criminals, but great men--though only for a season. The danger arises when we no longer know how to separate character from circumstance. We begin to treat all men in prison as prisoners. Yet, there are Josephs in prisons. On their part, they are being refined, and destiny will take its course. But what happens to us? We risk losing the opportunity to partake in greatness through honor and relationship. Father, this is a problem that haunts mankind; especially the attitude of selective honor. Yet, one of the clearest ways to know a man is by how he treats others in their lowest state. Joseph found his way out of prison because he did not withhold honor from others who were also in low estate. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #honor #greatness #prison #Josephstory

Dear Father, When You made Solomon king instead of David, he made a very reasonable request. He said: “O Lord my God, give therefore Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this Your great people?” He was a leader, and with the opportunity to have one request granted, his concern was for his people. I am pondering what my own request would be if I were granted just one. This raises a question: what shapes our requests? Need, desire or purpose?The average man may first ask for wealth before considering anything else--yet this reveals a distortion of order: the kingdom of God first, and all other things afterward. Though it may sound vague--this idea of seeking Your kingdom, but it is not. Requests shaped by the kingdom reveal needs that are rooted in purpose. Solomon was a leader, and he had concern for his people. This challenges us to examine the kinds of requests we persistently make, and how closely they align with kingdom actualization. Yet You give priority to kingdom-centered requests, because all other things are added, not pursued. Perhaps leaders must seek wisdom, writers must walk in clarity, business men must pursue right direction, the wealthy must embrace stewardship, the worker must cultivate diligence, and the gifted must submit to discipline. Yet if only one request were granted, what would we seek? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindu Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #KingdomofGod #purpose #need #request