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Aug 08, 2019 1678 Antony Kalapurackal
Evangelize

God Is in Control

Stop Fretting Over What You Can’t Do. Instead, Focus on What God Can Do.

Last December, I was in India traveling by train. I got a sleeper-class ticket which secured me a seat for the four-hour journey. Not very long after the train began to move, the ticket examiner came and checked my ticket. He then headed to an elderly man who was sitting right beside me. This man had an economy class ticket and was not supposed to sit in the sleeper class. The ticket examiner asked him to go to the economy class. Knowing that the economy coach was usually full and that he might have to stand throughout the journey, the the man requested the ticket examiner to allow him to sit where he already was; but to no avail, the ticket examiner insisted him to shift to the economy coach. The man stood up and reluctantly walked to the economy class.

After the man had disappeared, a disturbing thought came to my mind: “Why didn’t I offer the extra payment for him?” The extra payment required for that man to continue in the sleeper-class seat was very much affordable for me. I did not do what I could have done at that moment! Throughout the journey this thought kept pricking my heart. However, toward the end of the journey, I heard a soft voice of consolation deep inside my heart! Listen, the hundreds of good deeds you have done so far need not be the proof of the presence of the LORD in you; but, if a good deed that you did not do brings tears to your eyes, it is a sign that the Carpenter (Jesus) has started His work in you.

It was not the first time I had this kind of experience. I have fallen short many times in similar situations because of my inability to act quickly. However, when I took those failings to the Lord during my quiet time with Him, I was given some insights. Intentions of the Heart God always looks at our heart. Rather than what we do, God is more concerned about the intention of our heart. He does not expect us to be perfect in our deeds but to be truthful. God wants us to do all things with love. Anything that does not come out of love is not acceptable to Him. Saint Paul makes this point very clear in his letter to the Corinthians. “If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
This explains why Jesus disregarded large sums of money from rich people but appreciated the two small copper coins from a widow (Mark 12:43). Take the case of Mother Teresa. She had done everything with great love and passion. She was able to see Christ in everyone she served. Instead of trying to do great things, she tried to do small things with great love. This is what makes her very special. Worldly recognition can be deceiving. People always look at the result, but God sees much more! A doctor, who coincidently discovered a lifesaving medicine and saved the life of his enemy while trying to poison him, may be recognized with a Nobel prize by the world, but is a murderer in the eyes of God! A doctor who took a risk during his failed attempt to save his patient may end up behind bars but might be well rewarded by God! We need to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to lead us in the right path. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139: 23-24).

Let Go & Let God

God loves everyone. Our shortcomings do not prevent Him from blessing His children. We are all instruments in His hands, and He has an infinite number of alternatives when we have failed to fulfill our duty. In the above incident, it is not difficult for Him to arrange a seat for the man in the economic class. What we can do is to give our worries to Him and accept the fact that He is always in charge. On a similar note, in my workplace, I often feel guilty when someone leaves the company before I get a chance to effectively share my faith. I feel like my prayers for the person went unanswered. But that is not true. No prayer ever goes unanswered. God, in His infinite wisdom, has the perfect way to do things in His perfect time. Evangelization is His business! We just need to cooperate!! It is important to trust Him always and know that He can make good things out of our shortcomings. In fact, He already knew we were going to fall short. Dear Lord, we surrender all those shortcomings and failures in life completely into Your hands. We trust that You know more about our life and You will get us through it all. Take control, O God that we may never feel dejected or lonely, but always find true solace and peace in you. Amen.

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Antony Kalapurackal

Antony Kalapurackal serves in the Editorial Council of Shalom Tidings. Antony lives in Brisbane with his wife Vinita and children Abiel, Ashish, and Lucina.

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