The Church at Powai

Spontaneous applause met the pastor’s announcement. Cries of “alright” and “hallelujah” rent the air as the ushers came forward to take the offering. I couldn’t believe it, my jaw dropped. This couldn’t be right. I must be dreaming. I must have misunderstood the announcement. But as the six men walked through the aisles, they were collecting just what the pastor had announced—the morning offering! I’ve never forgotten that scene. How right! To joyfully give back to God who is the “giver of all good things.”

At the beginning of this year, amid all the celebrations, Pastor challenged us to live this New Year in the “ought” mode rather than the “is” mode.  A month has gone by and I wonder if the novelty of the New Year has died out and we’ve already run out of steam or if each day still holds promise and expectation.  In the hugely popular film ‘3 Idiots’ that had a lot of such moments of build up of expectation, one theme that kept coming up was that of innovation,  perhaps even the triumph of innovation over the drudgery of bookish knowledge for success. Many students or even those whose jobs require innovation and creativity in our society might have been very inspired by this much needed message.

“Take me past the outer courts, into the holy place; past the brazen alter, Lord I want to see your face.”  We’ve sung those words so many times yet I wonder whether we truly understand what it means to see God’s face, and whether that truly is what we desire.  God very clearly states in Exodus 33:20, “But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”  Even the high priest went into the holy of holies with great trepidation knowing that this might very well be his last act on earth.  So when we sing these words, are they just phrases meant to enhance the wonderful experience we are having, or are we truly ready to risk our very existence for the most terrifying display of glory that will ever be? God is so big, so awesome, so magnificent, so perfect in every way and the personification of holiness.  Do we know what we’re asking for? Do we understand what we’re getting ourselves into?

It is early in the morning.  Students are waiting outside the gate to be let in. They walk in as the gates are opened. A few seconds later you’d find them sitting in their classrooms reading the books stacked in their class or playing with the toys  - constructing a house or a jeep with a game which was meant to be a puzzle – having a great time on their own. Then you’d hear few children playing outdoors, running around. The school begins with the teacher’s devotion – a time where the teachers spend some time in reading God’s word and praying for the day.

It’s Monday as usual…traffic snarls…peak hour rush in local trains…client meetings...targets etc., demands of everyday life take a toll on the spiritual recharge we did on Sunday and the effect of the “Word” sown in our hearts on Sunday gets “choked” with life’s worries, pulls and pressures before it starts impacting us and in turn the world around us. Are you looking for some place during the week, where the ‘seed’ not only gets nourished but also helps in keeping the “weeds’ out? Let me help you take a sneak peek at what is happening in some of the cell groups at CAP meeting during the week at various places—currently eight (watch out for more in the coming weeks).