By Shalet Babu
‘I want to be a Neurologist…’ – These were the words, written with determination, on the walls of the room of a 7th grade girl.
As years rolled by, the goal of this little girl changed. The passion for teaching which was in her always and a clarity on the real stuff in her, combined with the inspiration drawn from her favourite English teacher made her take the decision to be a professor in English!
Again, as time went on, she became a college student and it was then that she encountered the Lord through Jesus Youth Movement. She met many youngsters in the movement through whom Jesus made her realise a beautiful truth—there is nothing more wonderful that can happen to one’s life than being an instrument in Lord’s hands. She saw how beautifully Lord is working through youngsters, who are of her age, to transform the lives of many. And it was then that she realised her call-to be an instrument in her Lord’s hands!
She still cherishes her dream to be a professor of English, but she wants that because she believes that is one of the ways in which Lord wants to use her – to bring His light to the life of her students. And now, that 7th grade girl is feeling grateful, as she is writing this article, from Odisha as a Jesus Youth full timer, because, she is now in a beautiful journey to know her Divine Shepherd, so that she can be His instrument!
I am Shalet Babu, from Kerala, Southern India. I have completed my graduation in English language and literature and am currently a Jesus Youth full timer in Odisha. To be clearer, Jesus Youth is an International Catholic Lay Movement, approved by The Holy See. Being a Movement that lays its special focus on forming youth for an evangelistic mission, full timership, now in its 25th year, is one of the path-breaking initiatives of the Movement, in which graduates are placed in different parts of the world for a period of one year, after 30 days of training.
As I said before, though I wanted Lord to use me, I knew I needed to be moulded a lot for that great call. And I believe, Lord chose Full timership for me, with the same intention in His mind. He wanted to mould me and He is doing it, so beautifully.
Fulltime Volunteers Training 2016-17 started at the end of May 2016 in Kerala, with 37 youngsters from different parts of India. On July 5, 2016, I reached Odisha and this is my 7th month as a full timer. Lord took me to different parishes among diverse youths, to live the life that Christ lived.
I know I wasn’t able to do great things in these months, but Lord is doing great things in my life. As Christ called and anointed the Apostles ‘to be with Him’ (Mark.3:14), Lord called me as a Full timer to be with Him and to know Him, my Shepherd.
In the past 7 months – when I travelled through different cultures and stark realities –I encountered real faith. I experienced the real essence of happiness. I saw what poverty is (maybe in its least degree). I realised how blessed I am. And I realised how weak I am, but how strong I can be with my Lord. I saw how Lord is moulding me and making me strong through the small struggles and challenges.
I know this is just the beginning of my beautiful journey to know and to be with my Divine Shepherd. The period when my Lord is moulding me so that He can use me to spread His light to many lives. I know I have miles and miles, yet to be traversed, for this journey to be complete. But, I am not afraid, because His Grace is sufficient for me. I will continue this journey, because my Shepherd is by my side, always. And let me share yet another wonderful truth that I learned in course of this journey. And that is –‘So Beautiful is the Walk with Christ’! Just start walking with Him and see for yourself the miraculous transformation that will come upon your life! Amen! God Bless You!
( Shalet Babu is a member of Jesus Youth Movement. At present she is based in Odisha, Eastern India)