destined 2 soar on high: February 2011

TAKE THE CHALLENGE, MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

As the old saying goes, “Do not judge the book by its cover.” Never underestimate anyone even if they are young, old, feeble or disable. Never undermine any person by the colour of their skin.

Many years ago, an Albanian Catholic nun who heard the voice of God, journeyed to a foreign land in pursuit to help the poor and needy. At the age of 12, she decided that she wanted to be a missionary and spread the love of Christ. At the age of 18 she left her parental home in Skopje, Macedonia, (the former Yugoslavia) and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India.

From 1931 to 1948, she taught geography and catechism at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta where later she became the principal at the same school. However, the prevailing poverty in Calcutta had a deep impact on her. At that point of time, what she was getting into was against the odds. She had to wrestle with those who are in position and with different ideologies.

Nevertheless, in 1948, she received permission from her superiors to leave the convent school and devote herself to serve the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta.

Years later, the world recognises the undivided sacrifices she made to meet the need of many helpless human beings in her own limited capacity and capabilities.

She’s none other than Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu or famously known as Mother Teresa who started Missionaries of Charity in 1950. She was bestowed the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979; received Bharat Ratna in 1980 and many other awards for the contributions she made towards human race.

Recently, a friend of mine send me an encouraging email after reading our ministry newsletter we send out to friends. He shared a little bit about Mother Teresa’s humility that taught the world the true meaning of love through charity.

The following is what I wrote back to him: “Dear brother, thanks for the reply with great encouragement. You are right about mother Teresa. Before I stepped into Gua Musang to be involve in the marketplace ministry, I had the opportunity to watch the same movie you did when I visited a friend in 1998 (actually, he was watching it at that moment, I just joined in). May be God wants me to see it.

The picture took me by surprise and there were tears in my eyes as I was engrossed in the details of the story. The Holy Spirit reminded me that what she did was not prominent in the eyes of men at that time but to God it is an act of love, being Christ-like.

That movie inspired me to take the challenge to do what we are doing now as a family (teaching English and Character Building programme to all races). God is our witness and help. Brother, thank you so much for reminding me of this movie and for praying for us. It means a lot to us.”

Dear friends, just as her selfless work among the poverty-stricken people of Calcutta became an inspiration for me and my family, so I believe it will challenge you to the core to make the difference in your society, nation and the world itself.

Mother Teresa ones said: "God admires us not for what we do but for how much love we put into what we do. Together let us build a chain of love around the world”.

Whatever we are called to do by God in the place of our assignment, though it may seem to be unrealistic, out of date or insignificant to human minds, it doesn’t matter, just continue to pursue the higher calling.

Jesus said in Mat 25:35-45 For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; (36) I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. (37) Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? (38) When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? (39) Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? (40) And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me. (41) Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. (42) For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; (43) I was a stranger and you did not take Me in; I was naked, and you did not clothe Me; I was sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me. (44) Then they will also answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You? (45) Then He shall answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. (MKJV)