Introspecting 2014 and Rediscovering Journey for 2015

Luke 12:22-34

²² And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

³² “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

A wealthy man was sitting in his balcony when a little ant caught his eye. It was carrying a big leaf several times more than its size. The man watched it for more than an hour. He saw that the ant faced many impediments during its journey, paused, took a diversion and then continued towards destination. At one point the tiny creature came across a crack in the floor. It paused for a little while, analyzed and then laid the huge leaf over the crack, walked over the leaf, picked the leaf on the other side then continued its journey.

The man was captivated by the cleverness of the ant, one of God’s tiniest creatures. The incident left the man in awe and forced him to contemplate over the miracle of Creation. It showed the greatness of the Creator. In front of his eyes there was this tiny creature of God, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain to analyze, contemplate, reason, explore, discover and overcome. Along with all these capabilities, the man also noticed that this tiny creature shared some human shortcomings.

The man saw about an hour later the creature had reached its destination – a tiny hole in the floor which was entrance to its underground dwelling. And it was at this point that the ant’s shortcoming that it shared with the man was revealed. How could the ant carry into the tiny hole the large leaf that it had managed to carefully bring to the destination? It simply couldn't!

So the tiny creature, after all the painstaking and hard work and exercising great skills, overcoming all the difficulties along the way, just left behind the large leaf and went home empty-handed.

The ant had not thought about the end before it began its challenging journey and in the end the large leaf was nothing more than a burden to it. The creature had no option, but to leave it behind to reach its destination. The man learned a great lesson that day.

This is what is going to happen to us also. The worldly journey will end at the six foot hole and what is it that we are taking? Nothing. As we enter a new year are we burdened with this fact?

There is a famous malayalam song "Samayamaam radhathil njaan" in which the 5^th stanza is thus: 

Bhaarangal Koodunnathinu Onnum Venda Yaathrayil

Alpamappam Vishapinnu, Swalpam Vellam Daahikkil

(Do not carry unnecessary load which hinders your journey; For hunger some food, for thirst a little water)

As we enter the new year we need to look back on our journey and make new discoveries or re-discover the truth to enter 2015. The year 2014 was a journey in which we had our aspirations, dreams and were running madly to achieve it. We need to be still for a moment and check if we made the right discoveries and I hope the gospel portion will help us in the same.

Introspecting 2014 And Rediscovering A Journey For 2015.

To understand the gospel portion in its fullness we need to recognize why and for what Jesus said so. This becomes clear when we start reading Chap. 12.

Jesus used the conflict between the two brothers to teach His followers a “life lesson.” “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

What was the problem with these brother’s inheritance issue? They asked a genuine question? On closely observing we find why Jesus got agitated and had to explain it in full detail.

1^st - They both wanted something they hadn’t earned.

Very few kids “deserve” and have earned the money they received from an inheritance. If after the death of my parents they leave a share of inheritance for me, I cannot say in its true sense its mine. Because I don’t deserve a penny of it. Because I have not worked a little for it. It’s they who have toiled. All children can say that they owe their parents far more than they could ever repay.
2^nd – These brothers were willing to sacrifice their relationship with each other… for the sake of possessions and money.

3^rd – They were putting their trust in riches rather than God.

Jesus diagnosed their problem and then He told a little parable and an explanation to describe what caused this kind of attitude and how our journey should be. If we are also travelling with the same mindset we need to rediscover certain things.

1.        Am I Able To Re-Discover The Simple Element Of Gratitude? Luke 12:13-21

In interpreting this parable, it will be critical to assess carefully what the farmer's error is. He is not portrayed as wicked - that is, he has not gained his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others. Further, he is not portrayed as particularly greedy. Indeed, he seems to be somewhat surprised by his good fortune as he makes what appears to be reasonable plans to reap the abundance of the harvest. What is wrong, we might therefore ask, about building larger barns to store away some of today's bounty for a potentially leaner tomorrow? Nothing, we might answer, except...

Except for two things. First, notice the farmer's consistent focus throughout the conversation he has with himself: "What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?" Then he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul...."

The relentless use of the first person pronouns "I" and "my" betray a preoccupation with self. There is no thought to using the abundance to help others, no expression of gratitude for his good fortune, no recognition of God at all. The farmer has fallen prey to worshiping the most popular of gods: the Unholy Trinity of "me, myself, and I." This leads to, and is most likely caused by, a second mistake. He is not foolish because he makes provision for the future; he is foolish because he believes that by his wealth he can secure his future: "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."

God may not need our money and our stuff, but we need to give it. It’s our way of being thankful for all that we’ve received. It’s a way of acknowledging the One who ultimately owns everything. It is a way for us to set our priorities in order, thereby making life much simpler.

He forgot the one simple element and that is to have gratitude towards God. What God does want, though, is our loyalty. What God does want is our acknowledgment. What God does want is a relationship with us.

As we enter a new year can we decide to have a thankful heart towards God and with humility accept that it is God who guided us?

2.      Am I Able to Re-discover God Was God Is And God Will Be The Supplier Of All My Needs? Luke 12:22-34

Why does the Lord command his disciples to not be anxious about anything? Certainly food and clothing are proper concerns. What makes these concerns foolish and harmful is thinking and acting anxiously about them. Jesus specifically says "do not be of anxious mind" (Luke 12:29). The root word for "anxiety" literally means "being of two minds".  An anxious person is divided, "tossed to and fro", and often paralyzed by indecision. Fear of failure or some bad outcome usually cripples those afflicted with anxiety.  What can free us from anxiety?  The apostle Peter tells us to "cast all our anxieties on God, for he cares about us" (1 Peter 5:7).  Trust and submission to God is the antidote to self-concern and anxiety for one's life.  Our Father in heaven knows our needs better than we do.  Do you place your security in what you possess or in God who possesses you as his beloved son or daughter?

Jesus uses the illustration of nature — the birds and the flowers — to show how God provides for them in the natural order of his creation. How much more can we, as his children, rely upon God's providential care? God is utterly reliable.  In the Lord's Prayer we are reminded that God is our provider when we pray: Give us this day our daily bread.  What is bread, but the very staple of life and symbol of all that we need to live and grow.  Anxiety is neither helpful nor necessary. It robs us of faith and confidence in God's help and it saps our energy for doing well. Jesus admonishes his followers to put away anxiety and preoccupation with material things and instead to seek first the things of God — his kingdom and righteousness.  Anxiety robs the heart of trust in the mercy and goodness of God and in his loving care for us.  God knows our needs even before we ask and he gives generously to those who trust in him.  Do you cast your cares and concerns upon the Lord with trust and faith?

One Achen who has motivated me to take up this ministry and vocation is Rev. Alex P. John. There are many stories and illustrations that I can say about him but I would like to state one thing which goes with the discussion here. Achen came to Baroda as the Vicar from Mundukod Mission in Karnatake. He was there for 5 years in this mission. They had two sons. One 6 years and the other 3 years. The elder son attended school for the first time when he came to Baroda at the age of 6. Out of curiosity and anxiety I one day asked Achen didn’t you at any time feel that how your child will study and all that? Why didn’t you ask for a transfer after 3 years was over? Achen with the usual smile and glow on his face which we can usually see when he speaks about God and his ways of providence told me, “ Jijo, its God who has blessed me with two children and its God who has placed me in this ministry. He knows what is best for me and so I didn’t ask for a transfer but waited for God’s time.”

As we enter a new year can we enter with this great hope and faith that the God of Yesterday has helped me to move forward Today and the same God will help me to overcome the hurdles of Tomorrow?

Dear Friends as we enter yet another year let us be thankful for giving us good strength, keeping us well and also for the hard times which has made us strong. Let us continue our discoveries in relation with our mighty Father. Let us not forget the rediscoveries we have made

1.       Am I Able To Re-Discover The Simple Element Of Gratitude?

2.       Am I Able to Re-discover God Was God Is And God Will Be The Supplier Of All My Needs?

God bless you all.