It appeared abruptly in my path for the second time in my life, and my life came to a halt, so it seemed. My young son, at the height of his career, at a time when all circumstances appeared to be in his favour, went to be with the Lord, after a massive cardiac arrest.

I said the ‘second time in my life.’  Now I know if the first had not happened, I would not have survived this one. By now I have learnt not to ask, “why so, Lord?”  I meekly, trusting in His Love and the peace He can only offer and accepted His will. I poured my heart out to Jesus seeking His direction for my life from now on. What would I do with all the love I had in store for my son? I know I will get the answer to that question from Him if I carefully listen to Him. Let me, therefore, talk about the first boulder today.

It happened decades ago. My career was at its peak and everything around me looked fantastic. I was all over the world. I thought I had made it in life, as my life and those close to me were progressing remarkably well. I was working as the President of a subsidiary of a USA based Company. When the time approached for the IPO, deceptively, they pulled out of India, leaving me holding the bag. I lost all the earnings which I had invested in the company. I found myself facing a towering wall. It was as if a huge boulder has appeared from nowhere in my way like a great roadblock. All my plans came crashing down; my dreams shattered; I lost my joy, peace, my purpose in life. That was what I thought at that time. Most of my friends and associates, who used to dote on me, just vanished. I am sure many might have experienced a similar situation, in varying degrees, in their lives.

It took me a while, doing a lot of introspection and repeatedly asking Jesus for direction. I realised that all I need to do was to press into the boulder. I found out that this rock in the path of my life was not an impediment but an opportunity that God challenged me with!

I realised that God had plans for me and all I had to do was to take on the opportunities and walk with Him, shedding the fear and uncertainties that gripped me. I turned to serve Jesus. The gifts He had bestowed on me, which I had successfully employed in my secular life (training ground for me?) came highly useful in His service. In doing so, I encountered Jesus in the most amazing ways. God fast-tracked my children in such an amazing way, the financial loss I suffered did not matter anymore.

When I look back on those days, it seems straightforward. While I went through it, I suffered disappointment and my self-esteem dropped to the lowest possible level. However, my hope and my faith remained unshaken. I understand now that it is not just one such boulder that would suddenly come up in our lives but boulders big, and small do appear as we go through this form of life. When that happens our plans, ‘A’ to ‘Z’ will crumble. Such failures should not disappoint us or discourage us, as it is God’s will that is just, and that which will be done in us.

God will steer us towards the right path He has willed for us. He will use us in ways we could never imagine. He wants us to understand that and obediently comply with His will. When we do that, without doubt, besides getting on a new track in life, we would have ‘experienced’ Jesus.

I also learnt that God can never be in my way as an obstacle, but He is always beside me, it was I who strayed away from His side. God continues to change our hard places into grace places. My prayer for all those who are in such a seemingly hopeless situation is to look to God and walk in His path and not the path you chose. Learn to listen to Him; learn to hear Him when He speaks to you; learn to hold His hand when He extends it to you.

Anand Peter