Adieu Old Friend

On the 11th of October, one of our high school classmates died. In fact, the first one among the rest in his middle age. Though I was not very close to him, I served with him in the students' union; I was the President and he was the finance secretary of the SSPP when we were in Class IX at St. Mary's School, Tuibuang, CCPur, Manipur. As far as I know, his grandfather was the first person who translated the Bible into the Paite language. His demise was very unexpected yet not very surprising to me either.

When I got the information in our school WhatsApp group, my first thought was to remind the others who are alive about the importance of our lives while we are on this earth. I shared a gospel hymn that speaks volumes, Life at Best is Very Brief. And use this opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who may not yet have been saved.

Besides, I also send the following message as a reminder to all my classmates:

“Teach us then to number our days That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalms 90:12, RecVer)

As we mourn the demise of our beloved classmate, let us also consider the life we live on this earth today. All have to die one day, it's just a matter of time. 

When that day is yet to come, may we number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom; 

a heart that seeks God, 

a heart that loves God, 

a heart that believes into Jesus Christ and receives Him, and

a heart into whom Chrst makes His home.

That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be full of strength to apprehend with all the saints what the breadth and length and height and depth are, And to know the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ, that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19, RecVer)

Imitating the apostle Paul, I was grasping any available opportunity to preach the word in season and out of season; whether by audible voice or readable text. The latter was most convenient in these days of social networking. Having preached the gospel message to the ones who are still alive, it's adieu to my old friend and office-bearer. Adieu, old friend...