The earthly life of Dr C.T. Abraham came to a close paving the way for his heavenly life on 8th October 2009.At this juncture of his third memorial day,I would like to introspect my acquaintance with him.I first met him in person in his residence in the year 1984 when I came to Priority Highlands Campus of Brahmavar in Karnataka,India for having my theological education in India Theological Seminary and secular education in Crossland College.I still remember,I entered the campus he established along with him in his car to complete the admission formalities.
During my studentship,I noted in him something that was making him different from other Christian leaders,that was his humility and simplicity.He had ample reasons to be proud in the sense of the world.But he acknowledged and appreciated the supreme authority of his Maker to remain humble and simple,the abode of divinity.Soon after my graduation,I started to work with him in his office.I did understand that he faced lot of hardship and pain to build up the campus.His love for the Lord motivated him to build up the campus for His glory.But many a time,I used to suspect whether the worldly pressures would overtake his spiritual essence,in the gist and bustle of the world.In spite of the human limitations,he was able to keep up his love for the Lord.
He established Priority One India to give Priority One,not to the world but to the Creator of the world.In the church,I used to interpret for his messages.Towards the later years,I could feel in my heart,more than his head knowledge,more of faith in Christ vibrating in his heart.He had his last verbal preaching from the pulpit of the church on 9th January 2005.He started by saying"Be of good cheer,do not fear.When Lord calls,we need to respond.Be of good cheer,Jesus is calling you."He was speaking fromMark 10:46-52 concerning three important characters in that passage,1)Bartimaeus 2)Crowd 3)Jesus Christ.He said,"It is your honesty that is going to be rewarded.The one thing that can stop Jesus-the cry of a genuine needy person. Bartimaeus is casting away his self and garment,to come to Jesus.Many times our possessions stand in the way of God.Sometimes Lord does in the way we cannot understand."He asked the question,"Whether we know our real need?"He said,"My basic need is faith.The faith of Bartimaeus in Christ,made him well."He again asked the question,"Are you blind?Physically you have eyes to see.But there is darkness in life.The eyesight is spiritual link with the Lord.Nothing or no one could stop Bartimaeus from trusting in the Lord,getting the reward from Him.Do you cry out to the Lord?Total faith in Lord Jesus Christ can give you that faith,that is purely between you and your God.You can never trust the crowd,most undependable people.Don't depend upon the crowd,they come for themselves not for you.Trust in the Lord not the crowd.The crowd can tell a lot of things but do nothing for you."He concluded by putting the question,"Are you ready with your need,commitment?"
Yes,beloved ones in the Lord,Dr Abraham had gone to be with the Lord.While our immortal souls keep on loving,understanding and experiencing this Lord,let our mortal bodies carry on the vision and mission of Dr Abraham.That is the best tribute we can give him.The heavens will be rejoicing with us in our heart when we are pleasing to the Lord and a blessing to His humanity.Let me sum up by narrating the very words of Jesus Christ from John 11:25-26."I am the resurrection and the life.He who believes in Me,though he may die,he shall live.And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
WRITTEN BY : DR GEE VERGHESE GEORGE,D.Litt.
Email : drgee@rediffmail.com
