GodSprings- 14, July, 2016

I Couldn’t Have Done It Alone?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

A drive through the villages of Punjab, we would sometimes see vast fields of sunflowers as far as the eye could see. The sunflowers would be facing East toward the rising sun in the morning, and as the sun moved through the sky the sunflowers would turn toward it, so that at dusk they would have turned completely toward the West. I was curious as to why does the sunflower have this phenomenon. A small study helped me to know about this. The French word for sunflower is tournesol, which literally means “turn to the sun.” Sunflowers do this because they are heliotropic; they need the sun to live. If that’s the case, then, by analogy, we are theotropic, we need God to live, and we are made to bend our love toward God and others.

On this day in the year 2011, I was ordained into this beautiful ministry in the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Jotting down few things that I have learnt in the short span of five years.

I couldn’t have done it alone. Yes, Dear friends, I couldn’t have come to this day alone, and I couldn’t have done the ministry alone. In fact, no one does it alone.

How does one come to know God? And to love God? And to want to serve God?

When I look back at this day I see so many who have helped to shape and influence me. Hebrews 12:1-2, says we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” The image is from the ancient stadium where the races were held, and the cloud of witnesses are the spectators who cheer the racers on.

This great crowd includes both the living and the dead.

So among the great crowd present today I believe the family members represent a great line going back through generations. My father and mother didn’t have any theological background. But they had a faith which even after theological studies I seldom lack. My mother had a scripture for every occasion, and I thought she was wise. It is only when I grew up and started reading the Bible I discovered that they weren’t original with my mother, but came from Jesus in the sermon on the mount. My father taught me to preach only those things that you believe. My sister has been the great friend, helper and source of inspiration. My uncles, aunts and all my cousins. After I got married my better half who sees to it that the simple elements of faith may not diminish when we move along the journey.  There is no doubt the family DNA has helped to form and shape me into being a minister.

But I believe there is more. For as important as family support and nature is, family alone cannot make a minister.

On this day I cannot forget Mar Thoma Church, Baroda where I began my search and journey towards understanding God. My first Sunday School, Yuvajana Sakhyam and the elders and teachers of the church. Most importantly the rich legacy of great Achens who led the church. It all got new dimension and better perspective when I joined the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam. My professors, batch mates, my junior and senior friends who still help in molding me.

I began my ministry in the Delhi Diocese under inspiring leadership of Abraham Mar Paulos Thirumeni. We as a family cherish Thirumeni’s down to earth nature and blessed guidance. The first love, the first church, the first sacrament administered, etc. cannot be forgotten. St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, in that way is my first love. It will always be in my heart as it helped me grow in many ways.

When I joined the church as the Asst. Vicar, I got a mentor and guide in Rev. Dr. Moni Mathew. God’s grace more than luck I would say that after Moni Achen who shared a fatherly love, we were blessed with the leadership of Rev. Eapen Abraham. He was like an elder brother and friend who would know what we were going through even before we say. Both were different in their style of ministries and I am happy to have been able to witness both. I thank God that to this day we share a wonderful relationship with both the families.

The parishioners of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Karol Bagh, the Delhi Centre clergies, youths, and the Ludhiana Mar Thoma Church where I serve now have helped me grow each day in this journey.

On this day I don’t take credit for anything because I have not done anything alone. This ministry is a team sport and the ones described above is my team and I am sure God will help many more to join.

All those who read this are reading because in some way you are associated with me and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me who I am today.

I need your prayers because I have consistently failed at being Christ-like. Pray that I may be able to practice what I preach and walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

This then is my prayer on my ordination day:

Dear Lord, may my love and self always bend towards you, as those sunflowers bend towards the sun. May I be committed to the gospel of the grace of God, the exposition of the Word of God, and the faithful and loving service in the will of God. May I lose myself in service. May I live for others. Help me to be on my knees, learning the power of prayer. Keep me from sin and, in my success, prevent me from believing my own press reports and make me humble myself under the mighty hand of God. Amen.