Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread
September 18, 2026
Our life can be best described as a patchwork tapestry. The more the patches of different hues, the more colourful our life. Some may be dark, others pale, and some bright. Patchwork. The circle of life. Blessed is the person who has no sorrows.
However, when we read the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12), we get a true picture of our life the way it is for most of us: We have weak or suffering from ‘dark night of the soul’ moments (poor in spirit); times when we will mourn (unless we are Superman); other times, meekness is the call of the moment, not arrogance; times when conscience is stoked to act righteously, especially when we are persecuted for our faith; and at other times, mercifully; the ultimate is to be pure of heart and to be peacemakers to see God and be a witness to his Kingdom on earth.
The man who was virtually all of this was Father Abraham. God scheduled his exit from Ur. He was seventy-five then. Haran was the destination. His father and the joint family were part of the entourage. A 100-year journey unfolded en route to the promised land in Canaan. (Gen 12:1-7).
Abraham found himself in a sticky situation once in Egypt (10-20). Abraham had to lie about Sarai. To save his life, he told Pharaoh Sarai was his sister. She may well have been - a close cousin. But the lie almost cost Abraham his beautiful wife.
When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. (Gen 12: 14-20)
Abraham’s life was a tapestry of events. He defeated the king of Sodom, who took Lot captive (14:14); he tithed to Melchizedek (14:18); received a promise of a son from God (15:4); offspring as many as the stars (15:5); Ismael is born of Hagar (15:15); promise of father of many nations (17:4); God’s test to sacrifice Isaac (22); Sarai is dead (23); Abraham seeks a wife for his son Issac, Rebekah from his own clan (24) … later for himself too. Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, buried with his wife Sarah. (Gen 25:7-10).
I have been out of regular paying work since March 2026. I have had a chequered career in professional communication with leading advertising agencies, working on well-known brands in the country. I pivoted to education, designing and managing career-oriented programs in branding, communication, and marketing for an educational services provider. Then to consulting in the same disciplines - marketing and education. Now, at 67, a self-employed professional, having my calendar set by God Almighty. The occasional workshop teaching communication comes by.
Caterpillar - a construction company - portfolio boasts asphalt pavers, backhoe loaders, compactors, forestry machines, material handlers, motor graders, road reclaimers, skid steer loaders, wheel excavators … and many more construction machines that serve a specific purpose and do it well.
God has made each one likewise. We are meant to do very specific work. God has provided the wherewithal and shaped us to be the best in that specific area.
The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all. One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. Another person is given the gift of teaching what he has learned and knows. One person receives the gift of faith. Another person receives the gifts of healing. One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. Another person is given the gift of speaking God’s Word. Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between the Holy Spirit and false spirits. Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds. Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean. But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who does all these things. He gives to each person as He wants to give. (1 Cor 12:4-11)
I have been fortunate to discover early in life how I like to spend my time: communicating through the written word. The Word, too, was close to my heart. I was a regular churchgoer, but beyond the catechism classes and liturgy and homily in church, I never had a personal Bible to read. Then at a retreat in 1994, the Word possessed me. As a writer, it became my source of wisdom. That helped me teach. I received the gift of faith. I speak God’s Word through these reflections. I can tell the Holy Spirit from a false spirit. I can sense discomfort when a false spirit is speaking to me. With the Holy Spirit, it is calm and confidence to proceed. God schedules my calendar. I follow it to the T.
What are you constructed for? What is God’s purpose for you? Whose voice do you hear to do or not to do; to go or not to go; to invest or divest what you spend your time on; to respond calmly or ferociously (sometimes); to build relationships or be transactional; to give or to keep?
- Mathew Anthony
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