Practical Training

Since the beginning of this year I had been travelling to many places in India mostly for propagation, shepherding and raising up of churches in new cities with the saints in coordination, all functioning within the measure God has apportioned in the Body. When I came back from the recent ones in Shillong, my wife told me, "You have been flying like an eagle in the heaven, now its time to labor faithfully like an ox, ploughing the field." Indeed, I must learn to plough like an ox too, a PRACTICAL TRAINING at home.

Since two months ago I had planned for a propagation training in Miraj; I had prepared everything for this training. However, when it was time to leave my ticket was not confirmed in spite of the repeated attempts even through Tatkal. Finally, as I was looking to the Lord in despair for not being able to attend this training, the Lord reminded me that I need to go through something very practical at home. This time my training is at home, a practical training for the preparation and propagation of the gospel of the kingdom.

Sovereignly, every day I need to take care of my physical family, cherishing in the humanity of Jesus, during the whole week when the training in Miraj was going on. Everyday, I needed to go to hospital either for my wife or for my daughter; and everyday, I needed to take care of some household needs as my wife is now on the third month of pregnancy for the third blessing. That was a real training indeed. The Lord knew my need and did exactly according to my need. Praise the Lord!

Though man have plans, the real execution is of the Lord. Sometimes the Lord interferes in our human plan for His divine plan. Our faithful response must be, "Amen Lord, let Your will be done." And we must not hold on to anything, rather be flexible and open to the Lord, following the Lamb wherever He may lead. This is a real lesson to me. Shepherding our own family is as important as shepherding the churches of God, for our own family is a part of the churches of God. Being human and taking care of human needs at home in the humanity of Jesus is as good as taking caring of the need of the Lord elsewhere, for all, including our own physical family is a part of God's big family. However, we must be balanced and not go to either extremes. The decision on which one to care for and when is by the instant leading of the Lord from time to time. We must abide in the Lord to discern the Lord's leading and be faithful and obedient to follow the Lord absolutely in every minute detail. Praise the Lord who lead me through a practical training for the preparation and propagation of the kingdom of God.