Victor Raj

The clock says 5:30, but heaven is already brewing something. I cradle a cup, steam rising like incense, a silent offering to the dawn. Bare feet on rooftop tiles, the city still sleeps, but the sky stirs — a gentle hush before the Hallelujah. Light spills slow, brushstrokes of gold on bougainvillea and breath, as if God Himself is painting and whispering, "Good morning, child." No noise. No striving. Only coffee and the Creator, the kind who waits for me not in sermons or songs, but in stillness and sunrays. Here, I don't need to say much. The sky says it all — Mercies are new, and grace has no end.

  There are nights when the body lies still, but the mind refuses to settle. The room is dark, the world quiet, but inside, the soul stirs — replaying conversations, dreading tomorrow’s unknowns, or weighed down by a grief too heavy for daylight. In those restless hours, our faith is tested not by thunder or storms, but by silence — and sleeplessness. The Bible is no stranger to the night. Many of its songs — the Psalms — were born in caves, in crisis, and in solitude. Some were penned when the psalmist couldn’t sleep either. These verses give voice to our own nighttime struggles and offer a path toward peace. Here are five Psalms to guide us through sleepless nights , each inviting us to turn the night watch into worship — supported by the wisdom of Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss and Habits of Grace by David Mathis . 1. Psalm 4:8 – Resting in God’s Safety “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” When fear or an...

At 63, I feel more alive than ever. I cycle through bustling streets and green fields, lift weights with the vigor of someone half my age, and embrace each day with a zest that surprises even me. It's not just about physical health; it's about a spiritual vitality that fuels every aspect of my life. Romans 8:11 captures this essence perfectly: "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." This verse isn't just a promise for the afterlife; it's a declaration of the life we can experience here and now, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Embracing the Spirit-Filled Life Paul, in Romans 8, contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit. He emphasizes that those who are in Christ are no longer bound by the flesh but are empowered by the Spirit to live righteously. This empowerment isn't limited to spiritual d...

Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t have a single thing we’ve mastered. We try this, we try that. We can cook a little, fix a leaking tap (sometimes), write a few thoughts, lift some weights, juggle some tasks — but we’re not world-class at any of it. And that’s okay. Because there’s only one Master. And He isn’t holding auditions for perfection. He’s looking for people who are willing to trust Him more than they trust their own resumes. This is the story of how being “jack of all” isn’t a failure when you know the One who is Master of all. The Myth of Mastery (and Why It Exhausts Us) We live in a world obsessed with mastery. Want to be taken seriously? Be an expert. Want to stand out? Dominate a niche. Want to be successful? Specialize. It sounds logical — until real life happens. You grow older and realize you’ve picked up bits and pieces: a little tech, a little teaching, some parenting, some gardening, a flair for storytelling, maybe even managing people. You’re decen...

For much of my life, I found deep comfort in seeing Jesus as my friend. The idea of a divine companion who walks with me through my struggles, who listens when no one else does, who shares in both my joy and my sorrow — it brought solace to my weary heart. After all, Jesus Himself said:  “I no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends.”  (John 15:15). But as the years wore on, a deeper, unsettling realization took root within me. If I only see Jesus as a friend — if I stop short of recognizing Him as my Savior, my God, and my Sovereign — my life begins to feel hollow, aimless, and ultimately worthless. The friendship remains tender, but without lordship, it lacks power. The heart’s deepest longings remain unmet. And life’s inevitable anxieties begin to surface uncontrollably. This is the story of how I rediscovered Jesus not only as my dearest Friend but as my sovereign King and saving Lord — and how life regained its meaning, weight, and resilience because ...

  When people hear the word romance , the mind often rushes to candlelit dinners, tender embraces, whispered sweet-nothings, and public displays of affection. It’s a word that evokes images of hand-holding walks under starry skies, surprise gifts, and love letters penned on fine stationery. But beyond the clichés and modern culture’s portrayal of romance lies a deeper, sacred kind of love — one that is neither superficial nor sentimental. It is fierce, sacrificial, intentional, and profoundly present. Nowhere is this sacred romance more visible than in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The cross, often spoken of in theological or doctrinal terms, is in its deepest essence the most staggering act of love and romantic devotion the world has ever witnessed. In blood, sweat, tears, and unimaginable agony, Jesus told humanity, I see you, I love you, and I will go to the ends of suffering to save you. Romance Beyond Sentimentality We’ve allowed the word romance to become tr...