GOD'S OFFSPRING | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2026

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Anil Israel reflects each issue’s theme with Scripture in the column, Our Daily Bread.

Twenty-five years ago, at the end of my first retreat, I learned about JoyNet, the email fellowship of Jesus Youth. This mega exposure to the vast world of Jesus Youth was a highly enriching platform that helped me stay spiritually alive. Every day brought a load of emails that nourished my starving soul. One of the daily emails was a forward called ‘Our Daily Bread,’ short reflections that ended with a summary, which I enjoyed reading. Eventually, I stumbled upon this content online. When the sender on JoyNet stopped for some unknown reason, I continued posting, taking the content from the online website. This was the beginning of an unplanned journey. 

With the rise of other online social communication platforms, JoyNet silently became a part of history. When I happened to meet Jesus Youth friends from other parts of the world, some of them would remind me of having posted ‘Our Daily Bread’ in the good old JoyNet days. Well, then, I was only acting as a connecting link between content already out there somewhere on the web to a virtual e-group platform. When asked if I had written them myself, I confessed to reality and wondered if it could perhaps be possible in the future, some twenty years down the line.

When Kairos Global launched itself, there were requests for people interested in contributing. Somehow, there was an inner inclination to respond to this opportunity. I had no clarity about what it meant to write. My humble attempts to put together scattered thoughts in my much younger years received a poor response, and consequently, the motivation within to pursue further was diminished. A very warm and encouraging chat with an elder from the Kairos team revived the desire to pen down those random thoughts that came from I knew not where.

When Kairos started printing a couple of submitted articles in those initial years, I had no clue about what the Lord had in mind for me. Since I had also personally attempted to pursue my own Bible-in-a-year at the time, I could sense the Lord preparing me for what He had already planned. It was a great privilege to be offered the opportunity to consider contributing monthly. 

The initial few articles were – at least I thought so – my attempt to put together stuff that had piled up deep within. After a few episodes, the inner well ran dry. Meanwhile, the movement’s formation enlightened my perspective that writing, too, was a charism. This, I was not aware of initially. 

I learned that if the Lord calls me to something, then it is His work. All that is required of me is my willingness to cooperate with His Will.  All the Lord was asking for was my availability and to seek the help of the Helper. I was convinced that without the Helper, I was nothing. I tried to integrate this intention into my daily personal prayer. Truly, the gentle Helper has been helping in ways beyond imagination. 

I can recall the insights that came through various ways. Either during prayer, or when doing a normal daily chore, during Holy Mass, or when listening to or reading something spiritual. Whenever the insights came, I knew I needed to retain them by recording them somewhere. What worked best was to put it as a personal chat to myself. There were moments when the insights or inspirations would not come. Then I realised that the Helper would reveal further only if I had recorded what was initially revealed. I learned: Lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). The Holy Spirit was teaching me to surrender, to place complete trust in God’s Divine Wisdom. 

Later, the insights too would diminish, but there was a consolation that when I make myself available and decide to set aside time, trusting in divine providence, He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). Sometimes, it would be just a single word or a small phrase or a key thought to give me that assurance that this is sufficient to begin with. And when I trustingly begin writing, then I have experienced that He will teach and bring to remembrance all things (John 14:26). 

I am always overwhelmed and marvel at His working. Before starting, I have no clue as to what I would be writing down. But after continuing, He gives the flow, He helps build it up. Truly, He has always been faithful. His faithfulness is what keeps me going. At times, I am stunned as to what I have put together. I know it is helping me increase my trust in Him. I gain a lot from what He helps put together. I hope others, too, would benefit from what the Lord has in store for them, through what He has permitted me to put together for His glory.

I am convinced that I need not rely on any other artificial tool to assist me. I do need to look up the scriptural references that the Spirit inspires. 

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). This has meanwhile become one of my favourite Scripture verses. I am reminded to rely totally on the indwelling Holy Spirit. I don’t have to do it alone. After all, it is not my doing, it is His. He who brought me into being will undoubtedly bring into being this sacred work of His. I only need to remind myself of my true identity that I am God’s offspring (Acts 17:29). Just let God work!

Raised up Catholic in Baroda, Gujarat, Anil Israel had his initial encounter in November 1999. He works as a software engineer for a multinational firm. He is married to 8th batch full-timer Sunitha, and they are blessed with 6 children: Trina Maria, Theo Clemens, Cleon Christie, Siyona Clara, Nellie Greta and Ziva Elrose. He was the first National Coordinator of Jesus Youth Germany (2005-2008). He is the current Formation Coordinator of JY Germany. He loves exploring the Catholic world through books, and visiting places along with his family. Writing is his way of weaving scattered thoughts together with divine inspiration.