TO HIM BE ALL MY GLORY | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2020

Author: Jomy Abraham

Intro: Jomy Abraham recounts how his life’s journey became purposeful after his encounter with the living God and deepened through the fellowship in the movement.

My journey on this earth started in 1967, as the eldest of four children. A deeply religious family, my early childhood memories are centered on seeing my parents attending Holy Mass daily, where I sometimes accompanied them just to see the sights while walking there. In addition to family prayer together, I also have fond memories of seeing them pray together in their room in the morning and at night. Several elements of Catholic faith were slowly ingrained in me by observing them, listening to them, and praying with them. I started going for daily Holy Mass from ninth grade onwards – because we moved to a house that was just a stone’s throw from church – became an altar boy, and attended all the church activities. Part of this was due to my mother’s insistence, part due to the ‘good boy’ tag that it brought among my neighbors, and a very small part due to the mystery surrounding all that was happening during Holy Mass. 

It was during a low point in my life, when I failed to get through the Engineering entrance exam in 1985, that I really started thinking about the purpose of my life. God led me to a charismatic retreat, where I came to the realisation that I have a heavenly father, who knows me and my needs more than anyone else ever could. I was fortunate to attend the Jesus Youth ’85 convention and become a Jesus Youth. Along with a group of friends who are still close to me, we started a youth prayer group and began going around various parishes in Trivandrum, either to start new prayer groups or to help conduct existing ones. Our close-knit fellowship was a strong pillar of support in almost all of my needs, particularly when struggling with the world and its ways as a youth. We met every week to share our trials, joys, victories and hopes, to pray for each other and to motivate each other in our faith journeys. We spent time together in front of the Blessed Sacrament and undertook fasting and penances to keep us in the protection and providence of the Lord. God in his mercy and faithfulness, has led each of us marvelously in ways we could not have imagined, as ‘His ways are higher than our ways.’ 

Throughout university and further studies to become a certified accountant, all of my time aside from studies was dedicated to Jesus Youth activities. I was active in the music ministry, and later became a part of ‘Rex Band’ in its initial days. God surprised me in unimaginable ways for being faithful to my small talent and giving back in his service, by taking me to foreign countries and stages, including the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

In 1995, I married my wife – a fellow Jesus Youth – and together we said, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). We migrated to Dubai in 1997 as God blessed me with the perfect job. As we prayed about this move, God spoke to us clearly about our call and mission in the United Arab Emirates. Daily Mass and regular confession were the bedrock of our faith, with the growing conviction of God’s special call to us. God blessed us two children who have been our greatest gifts. In our walk with the Lord, he has allowed all kinds of hardships, and each time we have been strengthened by these words, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. (1 Peter 5:6) and We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). 

While working as the General Manager of a company in Dubai a few years ago, I faced a difficult situation. We had bagged a prestigious contract which had extremely strict delivery timelines, and precise quality parameters. I was particularly proud of getting the contract and though I knew this was the work of God, somehow, I felt it was the fruit of my intellect, skill and ability. As the work progressed, despite our best efforts, we were falling behind on deliveries. We faced the dire situation of not only losing the contract, but huge financial loss for our company, large fines and the prospect of legal action. Unable to find a solution on my own, I finally came to the realisation that I had been holding back acknowledging the contract as God’s blessing and taking away the glory and honour that belonged to God alone. We as a family went on our knees in prayer and repentance, seeking the mercy of God. Soon, the situation improved, with our deliveries exceeding the expectations of the client, both in terms of time and quality. This incident reaffirmed the value of humility and the need to acknowledge that it is his grace that enlightens our human intellect. We are just stewards of all he has given us in his abundant love.

There have been many crises, with no visible light at the end of the tunnel, but God in his infinite grace and mercy carried us on his shoulders. Like the Good Shepherd, he took us to ‘green pastures’ and ‘quiet waters’, refreshing and restoring our tired souls. As part of the Jesus Youth family, we enjoy the fellowship, communal graces and the fraternal correction that keep us focused on our call and mission, to be the ‘salt and light’ of the earth. I praise and thank God for his greatest blessings - our family, friends, colleagues and fellow missionaries - who are on this journey with us to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

A Senior Finance Manager by profession, Jomy lives in Kochi with his wife Roma and children, Abraham and Maria. He is the  International Finance Coordinator and a member of the International Formation team.