THE PERSEVERANCE CHECKLIST | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2021

Author: Alex Antony Njavally

Intro: Alex Njavally shares wisdom on persevering in faith amidst life’s curveballs.

‘The greatest tragedy in life is to die without becoming a saint.’ Pope Francis Looking back at my life I must say that I committed my life to Jesus during my second-year of graduation. It was a very personal experience. And I realised, he knew everything about me and that he was not just God of the heavens but an intimate personal Saviour. Being a people person, I had a lot of friends. It was a challenge for me to remain faithful to him because my friendship was more with brothers of other faiths. But the truth that I am a child of God and God has a plan for me and the Holy Spirit will lead me and reveal his plans for me was an intriguing mystery and novelty. A new spark and a new dimension came into my life as God led me to some wonderful people who listened to the Holy Spirit, and were guided and obedient to him.

 As a young man because I delighted in him, I saw his delightful ways entering my life. The words spoken to Joshua of the Old Testament, ‘I will never leave nor forsake you’ became a guarantee for me. I started looking to him for everything.

The heart of God yearns for his children and is always trying to bring everyone to his loving fold. This dream of God took root in me. I would do all I could to bring youngsters to him and to remain in him. 

With his presence in my life, my nature started changing. I started winning over my broken nature and also found wonderful friendships. Just as Jesus grew in stature and wisdom, when we remain in him, we also grow in stature and wisdom. So that he can use us as his instrument to proclaim his great love. One thing I realise when I look back at my life, it is grace alone that kept me in him.

Lessons I Treasure:

• Celebrate relationships.

• He only matters. 

• He brings order to our life.

• He wants us to love tenderly, walk humbly and to act justly. 

• The joy that remains is the knowledge that you are an instrument in his hands.

• Ordinary life takes a divine dimension when he is there.

• He wants to widen our boundaries.

• ‘What you meant for my harm God meant for my good’ – Joseph the patriarch’s statement will be true for you.

• You will always be challenged to forgive.

• Ignore an insult and overlook an offence.

• He expects you to give your best to all your endeavours.

• True freedom comes from his Spirit 

• To remain faithful is the goal.

• He has given us the right to discern, so discern clearly.

• It is not a priest or a nun or a preacher who has called you, it is the Lord himself.

• Remain under the umbrella of his one holy Catholic Church.

•  It is a war zone (because we are the Church Militant). 

  
  

Wisdom when Handling Difficulties:

• Storms in life will be plenty. But he is there at the helm of my boat.

• My duty is to remain with him, to obey him, to be faithful to him. And he will always see me through.

• He always brings the person needed in my life.

• There is constant conflict always because the world’s ways and the Lord’s ways are different.

• The Holy Spirit who hovered over the earth and gave shape to it is in you and there is no problem that he can’t solve.

•  The Lord is your real portion; all the rest will vanish.

• Be open to all people, and accept everyone. 

• Do not react, always think through and do things.

• You’re living in a broken world and you are living with broken people.

• Aim for calmness and to answer softly.

• Celebrate the little joys of life.

• Be merciful and compassionate.

• Treat everyone respectfully whatever be their position.

• Unless the Lord builds the house the builders labour in vain, so always watch out for him.

• Do not look to the negatives of the past because he is about to do a new thing, he will make rivers in the desert and a way in the wilderness.

•  Don’t allow pride and stubbornness to block the change that is needed in your life.

• Be willing to put all your energy into life, do not be half-hearted and leave no room for sloth.

• Be joyful, rejoice and always positive. 

• Seek his glory more than the glory from man.

• If you are willing and obedient to the Lord you will enjoy the best of the land.

• Remember you are human. 

• Learn to enjoy family and community. 

• Keep reading, keep learning.

• Bring every thought, imagination, desire, and intention captive to Christ.

• There are treasures to be made for heaven all the time. 

• Be a man of prayer.

• He will surprise you. 

• It is a perpetual war against sin. 

• Strive for silence and stillness of heart in the presence of God. 

  
  

A member of the JY International Formation team, Alex Antony Njavally lives in Bangalore, India. He is married to Thresy Alex and they have three children – Tia, Anna and Katrina.