SURVIVAL

I was on a short business visit to Aamby Valley last month. Arriving early at Sahara Star in Mumbai gave me enough time to rest and then visit family friends in Juhu and later in Bandra. Driving through the streets in Mumbai does make you count your blessings when you see how people survive! A mother sitting under her makeshift awning of her blue tarpaulin covered hovel combing the knots out from her daughter's hair, totally oblivious of the pouring rain and the sloshy floor ... another woman washing clothes whilst her little children playing marbles in the rain, drenched to their skin ... An old, frail man sitting on a broken charpai smoking a beedi ... a paanwalla's kiosk making brisk business ... Bhelpuriwalla dishing out golgappas whilst a long line of people wait impatiently for their turn (Don't forget the annoying umbrellas too!) ... Wada-pao and the Mumbai Bhaji cart ... Juice spelt 'juz' with millions of flies hovering over the 'fresh-cut' fruit etc. etc.

Once upon a time i ate on the streets and there would be the odd stomach upset but i would soon  go straight back to the hawkers! Today, i dare not eat out as i know that i've been utterly spoilt by the 'cleanliness' of Dubai. Everything is so well controlled by the Dubai Municipality that no one dares keep a dirty kitchen in town. I remember when i was a partner in Tandoori Inn, we would have those surprise visits from the DM Inspectors who would levy hefty fines on us for very trivial non-conformances! I know now that if i eat anything on the streets of Mumbai today, my immune system wouldn't cope with the exposure to those germs!

So it is with the Spiritual Warfare! Just like the sickness that attacks you when your immunity is low, the same way, the demons attack you once you're not equipped with the ARMOUR OF GOD! After all, it is the SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST out there!


 Ephesians 6:10-18: (10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints