Christian Life is a ROADTRIP…

I finished reading the book “Roadtrip” by Ru dela Torre, given by my friend in faith, Rachelle,  on my way to office this morning. I must say, I had my most meaningful travel to work today. As I closed the back cover of the book I also closed my eyes, and pondered on the last words of the author (last chapter of the book). I prayed for God to forgive me for always withdrawing the driver’s wheel from Him and for being such a control freak. I returned that special seat and asked Him to maneuver my life once more.

When I opened my eyes, my views appeared differently. Everything seemed alive. I was seating right beside the driver, I imagined him as God, and the road we were hitting was like my Christian walk with Him. God has control over the wheels now! What a wonderful truth! I saw many signs on the road. There were No Entry signs, Loading/Unloading zones,  No U-Turn boards, black arrows pointing on to EDSA and Makati;  an upward arrow that indicates a one way sign, and a lot more. The letters were so vivid, and each spoke to me loudly.  as if telling me what to do or what road to take. The many vehicles of different sizes that were  ahead and behind us, seemed like the people I’ll be meeting in this life. Some will measure my temper, some will give way, and some might test my faith on Him whose on  the wheels. When we went over the C5 bridge, there were large colorful, enticing billboards that looked like the temptations that this world will present to me along the way.  But I didn’t panic, because I know that God was there right beside me. I’m not in the driver’s seat of my life anymore. I don’t have the say of whos, whats, whens, wheres and hows  of my life now. I entrusted everything to Him already – every decisions to make and even my future. A life aligned to His will and purpose  is the most fulfilling. What I have to do is to be still, to relax and chill, while I enjoy the sceneries we’ll pass through.

Waiting’s Over

I have a job now. Finally!  It wasn’t the best job anyone among my classmate would want (I’m sure, base on money aspect, position and BONDage..haha). But I have peace in my heart, and I’m finding specks of joy everyday.

Thank God for this blessing! I just started last week and nangangapa pa ako..haha, but I know eventually I’ll be able to learn everything  that needs to be learned..

Hope I could find time to blog, in details,  about my work, the company, my co-employees and bosses on my blogger..hehe.

I arrived too early today. 7:30 pa lang..that’s why I kind of sneaked out.. Now I have to start working na..hehe

In the Presence of my Enemies

I assume, only few Filipinos know nothing about this book, and none knows the event it narrates. Gracia Burnham, accounts her tragic year of captivity by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf with her late husband, Martin, who died from the gun battle on June 2002. Gracia was wounded but she was rescued.

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Yesterday night, I was crying so hard when I came to the part of the book where Martin was shot and died. I cried more while reading the part where people told stirring speech and statements about Martin on his funeral service.

The Burnham’s ordeal in the jungle conveys  lessons to many people in this world – to their families, friends, co-missionaries, Filipinos, Muslims, to you and me.

FAITH – the couple exemplified an incredible approach to a test of faith. I wonder how will I respond if I was in their shoes. But they had kept their faith in a God who, in such dreadful situation, seemed to have left them; and cling to His Word and promises, who seemed to be untrue during their affliction.

LOVE – Martin Burnham taught us a wonderful lesson about loving. He put stress on Christ’s instruction to “Love your enemies” even if they are unworthy to be loved, even if they intentionally use us, even if they are criminals or terrorists or Abu Sayyafs. Its clear: Love those who persecute you, show kindness and mercy just as the Lord Jesus Christ did for us sinners. Love not hate.

CONTENTMENT – let us be satisfied in whatever we have now. The Burnhams’ experience of near starvation, inadequate supplies of personal hygiene, shows that they never have none. The Lord provided for their needs in the jungle, basic needs. That was a display of God’s faithfulness and grace. Whether small or few, we should be grateful and contented.

HOPE – to rest our hope in God, even in the midst of where there seem to be no hope.

LIFE’S Purpose – to serve the Lord with gladness,  Martin said,  “We might not leave this jungle alive, but at least we can leave this world serving the Lord with gladness..” even in the most unlikely situation, ..“We can serve him right here where we are, and with gladness.”

God’s WILL – Why does God allow this trial come my way?, sometimes we resentfully ask Him. The truth is, His will is perfect and good. But He created all of us as an independent human beings with free will and the power of personal choice. And sometimes, like the Abu Sayyaf, we choose to stand stubbornly outside His will, which could directly affect, or worse take other people’s lives.

What Christians ought to do – Gracia said it, “People oppressed by such rules (religious obligations) - not just Muslims but millions of people in the world who are desperately trying to stack up enough good deeds to outweigh their bad deeds  so God will be happy with them – need our prayers“

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When life gets tough, when we face similar or worse situations and we cannot understand (we began thinking) why/how a loving God could allow such circumstances, let’s go back to Isaiah 55: 8, for His ways are not our ways, neither our thoughts are His thoughts. Then we stop questioning Him, instead we would go and seek God’s purpose and lessons we could draw from it.

Thank God for the lives of the Burnhams, it’s a blessing for people like me.

credit for the book cover: graciaburnham.org

Ukay-BOOKay

Last Saturday, 20th of this month, I went “ukay-BOOKay-ing” at OMF Lit in Mandaluyong. I was with Hannah, and we were so amazed and stunned with the many books (all of Christian Lit) that welcomed us; all piled up and stacked. I applied for their Kaibigan membership to avail the last day “30% discount for members on all imported and local books” promo. Book-shopping-galore may sound a little bit exaggerative for having able to buy 8 books only, yet still, it was for me! Yes 8 books for a total cost of 721 Php plus 250 Php Membership. Nice buy and avail, indeed! Daig pa ang Bonus ng SM at Best Buy sa National Bookstore..hehe. (sorry for the shallow comparison). The last time I had 8 or more new books all at once, was during the opening of my fourth year in highschool..hehe..

If before my ultimate dream was a “Shop-til-you-drop at any NB outlet” now, given a chance and a bagful of money I’d rather go shop-til-you-drop at OMF Lit..hehe.. Till the next Ukay-BOOKay Promo!

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Good thing last Friday, I visited the website of PCBS and I came across their Ministry Partners Page. Then I saw that OMF Lit was one of their partners. I have read a lot of books before , published by them, so I decided to google OMF Lit, then I was directed to their website. I discovered that they have a Ukay-BOOKay Promo from June 1 – 27. And the rest is the story above.

Now, have to go back to my reading. =)

A Lesson about “Wait”

I tried submitting a couple of applications to companies since our arrival from CDO. I haven’t gotten any response, yet I’m still optimistic.
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I had an interview from a company weeks ago. I’m pretty sure I didn’t send any application to them, so I don’t know how they got my number. Anyway, I still went and had them interviewed me. They offered me a bank teller position since they still don’t have an IT-related job opening at that time. I was like NR for a moment. I went home with mixed emotions: I was dismayed and somehow I had this thinking of “What-if-i-consider” the position as the interviewer told me to do so. The perks were really good. I could have almost bitten it. I actually asked other people’s opinion, some said no, while others told me that it’s ok even if it’s off my track. But after days of praying and asking for God’s will, He told me to:

Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

With a stress there, the impressions I received from that were:

“Not that one. I have better plans, just wait.” or:

“The position will be vacant for as long as you don’t get to sit on it. But right now is not just the right time, so wait.”

Pretty bold huh..hehe. Honestly at first I was really hesitant on the words God have put in my heart. But as time flew, God would let me understand and convinced me to really wait for His perfect plan to unfold in his perfect timing.

Whether he has other plans or he has the same plan but on other time, what I must do is to wait and submit to His will.

21

20 years have passed, smoothly. Not that the road has always been smooth, only because I have crossed through each year’s road successfully with or without bumps on the way. All thanks to my “Lamp and Guide”.

Now that I was allowed to pass another road, all I want to bring are happy pictures of all my previous trips, a compass of Truth and a heart that hopes and perseveres. And let my Guide drive for me and hold my hand when I have to pass through holes. =)