A Change in Climate

It wasn't a very pleasant day for me today. I woke up with a heavy head and I had a hard time speaking due to an achy throat. I felt very sick. It's the same old feeling - the familiar season which reminds me of the sudden change in climate. Yesterday, the weather was scorching hot. The next day, an umbrella can't even save me from getting wet. The abrupt shifting of weather made my body weak and vulnerable.
I totally hate medicine but I had no choice but to take some. I need to get well soon and move forward with life. After hours of light work, healthy perspiration and glasses of alkaline water I could feel my fever subsiding. However, the uneasy and bothered feeling perseveres. I prayed and meditated on my condition. I asked God for healing and restoration and He answered with a new revelation - another pleasant surprise from God that I didn't see coming.
The first quarter of 2012 is undeniably the most challenging and most emotional season of my life to date. An immense stretching of faith took course - a Job-like story surfaced from the ground of my convenience. Great waves of challenges charged towards me.
My new year opened with blasts, not of beautiful fireworks but of odd ordeals. People dearest to me have been individually diagnosed with disturbing health conditions. I can still remember how hard I struggled to battle the inexplicable sorrow brought about by the situation - those moments when my heart burned in deep agony, those nights when I tried not to cry only to make my every breath tremble in despair, those times when I had to contain all the emotions within me and be strong for my family. It was the very first time in my life when I felt incapable and powerless. I contemplated and knew back then that I have no control over the situation. When I think back and remember what had happened, I'm always reminded of how gracious and loving God really is. He never left me. Through my family, He gave me strength and encouragement. Through my brothers and sisters in Christ, I felt His presence vividly. How would I ever forget that afternoon when I entered the bathroom and just broke down in gasping tears. It felt like all the burden my heart collected for days burst out. As the cold water from the shower ran down my face to wash those burning tears, I felt the warmth of God's embrace. He whispered to my spirit telling me, "you're stronger than you think you are". And it reminded me of His word, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). God saw me through it all.
It was just the beginning of God's indescribable plan, February of this year brought the season of financial adversity to me. It became even more painful with the fact that the scope of my responsibility had been amplified beyond my family. The failure to provide for them was both disappointiong and frustrating. A lot of times I was tempted to give in to evil's call and compromise my faith - do things my way and solve everything easily. I asked God, "What have I done wrong? Where is your promise? Am I not worthy of your riches and glory?". He replied, "I will meet all your needs according to the riches of my glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). It took me days to absorb what He's trying to say. Then God's correction caught my heart. He was teaching me to change my perception of His riches. Financial prosperity is just a portion of His provision. Everything that I have and everything that I am is from the riches of His glory. Anything that is beyond what He allows for me would only bring me destruction and God wouldn't let that happen. My life alone is an abundance. God surrounded me with so much source of genuine joy - a loving family, caring friends, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. And the greatest treasure that I possess is Jesus - who makes me thrive and never run out of life.
Now this month introduced the greatest challenge - the call to serve Him through ministry. Many times I responded with a "No" but this time, God rid me off all the petty reasons to not say "Yes". Obedience is an essential part of growth. As a child, our physical growth depends on our obedience to the call of nature to eat proper food. As a student, our mental growth depends on our obedience to the system of learning and application. As a professional, our career growth depends on our obedience to the requirements of our superiors and clients. And as a Christian, our spiritual growth depends on our obedience to God's call. Only in our humble position can God exalt us. Only in our emptiness can God fill us. Only in our service can God honor us.
Our hardship is not a curse from God, it's actually a motivation - an opportunity for us to be even stronger and develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Father. Our financial scarcity is not an abandonment of God, it's actually a realignment - a chance for us to value the richness of life beyond material things. Our service to God is not an oppression, it's actually a favor - a privilege to be blessed even more in order to be a vessel of his divine provision.
As I reach the end of this writing, my body's feeling better but my spirit is still agitated - which tells me that God is doing something in the spirit. Just as how my physical body responds to the change in earthly weather, my divine being reacts to the change in spiritual climate. I believe that God is preparing me for the tsunamis of blessing and storms of provision He is going to release in the spiritual realm. He allowed me to go through all those circumstances to strengthen my spiritual body - that I may be able to carry all the heavenly fortunes when they arrive.
When you feel like the circumstances are dragging you down; when things aren't turning out the way you plan; when it seems like you're being drawn to an inconvenient and difficult situation, be sensitive in the spirit. A change in climate might be approaching.

Time's Up!

Today, I celebrated my 23rd birthday. In this special day, I am always reminded that God brought me into this world for a purpose.. to be a son, a brother, a friend and a minister. But parallel to this day, there is one occasion that is equally notable. It is said in the Word, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment," (Hebrews 9:27). Death is another event that we should all look forward to - a day we should all be celebrating in advance. The thought of it may seem weird and freaky if you take it with a faithless heart. Some would probably ask, "Why would you hurry death? Aren't you happy with your life? Don't you want to enjoy your youth?". But that's not the point. Just as how we anticipate the day of our birth, we should be preparing for the day of our death. For it is not the end of the book. It is only a ticket to another chapter of our existence. And this chapter has 2 versions - the chapter of eternal life and the chapter of eternal death. God has already drafted the perfect plots for our life stories - plots that will lead to the chapter of salvation. However, the enemy will do everything to mess up the flow of the story with its own schemes. It will deceive you and direct you to the wicked plots that will only lead to the chapter of damnation. While we live on earth, we are given free will - the rationale to confirm which is holy and evil; the option to choose which plots we are going to realize. Which chapter do you wish to close your book with?
To most of unbelievers, the idea of death is a fearful notion - as they are immensely troubled by uncertainty. For they doubt if there really is life after death because if there truly is, they are uncertain where they are headed to. But to believers like me, the view of it brings excitement. It's the event that Christians are all looking forward to - the last episode before our reunion with the Father. We are patiently waiting to hear from the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).
While I'm waiting for this day, I indulge myself in the beauty of life. I don't look forward to it as a means to escape from life's troubles. For it can't be compared to the joy that's coming. It's just a dark before the brightest morning. So I choose to fight the good fight until that day I reunite with my Creator. Everyday is an opportunity to magnify God's glory and majesty - to honor Him through the works of my hands. As I pray before sleep, I always thank God for another day, another chance to display His wonder. I thank Him in advance should I be given a new day to experience His beauty. And as I wake up in the morning, I praise Him with my very first breath.
Someone said one of the richest places on earth, if not the richest, is the cemetery. Why? Because in this place, there's a lot of treasures that were left unclaimed - songs unsung, poems unwritten, masterpieces unaccomplished, dreams unfulfilled. God's plan is to prosper us through our giftings. He blessed us with skills and talents to utilize them and use them for our prosperity. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) said the Lord. Let us not be complacent and claim this promise of God as we learn of it. Seek and pray for His divine guidance to show you the way to His will. And as we aim for prosperity, we should also be mindful that the first thing to prosper should be inside of us. For "what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36). Prosperity is contentment. Contentment is of the heart - it brings peace and joy. Ever wonder why there's a lot of rich people whose lives are in great disarray and chaos? Why they just can't live peacefully and joyfully? Now you know. These people are wealthy with earthly possessions but their spirits are corrupted. They will never be contented. For they haven't claimed their spiritual treasures.
Remove that spirit of negligence in your heart and ask God to replace it with the spirit of enthusiasm. Don't reason that God will never take away that chance from you - that there will be some other time to turn back to Him. Surely, God's grace will never fall short but until when are you going to play with Him? You will always be certain that He will forgive you whenever, but you will never be certain when your time will be up! Death comes like a thief in the night.
Why are you delaying? Why don't you claim His promise as early as now? Imagine the great things awaiting you? Why do you settle with less if you can get more? If the Father can give His only begotten son for you, why can't He give all the desires of your heart?

My Eve Has Yet To Come

The idea of getting into a relationship has never gotten to me. I don't know. Way back in high school and college, I've seen my friends eating with their proclaimed girlfriends in the canteen during break time or walking in the corridors holding hands. I've seen how happy they were spending time together. And I was really happy for them too. But I've never considered doing the same. That's their thing, not mine. It wasn't the only source of happiness for me. Was I ever envy? Honestly? No, I was never envy. I never had that feeling. It's just not my type. Yes, I have crushes but it's not worthy taking to the next level. I was a serious thinker ever since. I thought of relationship as a special thing that should only be shared with the right person. You heard it right. Imagine how kj (kill joy) I was. Sounds pathetic huh?
Everytime I go to school and observe my friends with their partners, I can see chemistry - something science can explain. They look good together. They enjoy each others company. They share the same liking. But something's missing. No matter how beautiful the picture appears to the eye, it's lacking something. This missing part of the puzzle is not part of the chemistry - it stretches beyond science. And I found that precious piece nowhere else but home. I saw it in my parents. Some days, my parents don't look good together. At times, they argue on things and disagree. But no matter how tough the situation seems, they stay together. They work things out. The radiance of their relationship never fades. It's as if there's an invisible bond keeping them together. I still have no idea about the entire context of marriage back then. I know for a fact that it takes a mature mind to contemplate on that serious matter but the partnership that my parents displayed has been the cornerstone of my innocent judgment about relationship since then. I said to myself, "that's exactly what I want to have!"
I've heard of breakup stories from my friends and I just don't like the idea of going through the same thing. They said it's part of growing up. I have to get into a relationship at an early age so I can experience the fullness of adolescence. I'll lose half of my life if I don't do this and that. I should go with the flow and follow the trend. I should collect and collect and select. I was like "what"? I just can't. I can't fake it. I don't feel that love they're talking about. Let alone I don't trust it's love they're referring to. What I have is plain admiration and I don't want to play with it. It may have seemed abnormal to them; but I felt very normal. I wasn't playing safe, I was just being honest to myself. Another kj attitude huh? Again, it's just not my type.
I never really understood the true meaning of love until I became a Christian. And I'm glad I was thinking that way I was thinking before. For the first time, the word infatuation made sense to me. I've learned that love is not just a matter of emotion, it is also a decision that we need to make. I've learned that love can make you feel everything's right, when in fact there's a lot of things wrong. I've learned that you have to appreciate your own wholeness and completeness first before you can share yourself to another person in genuine love. We can love because God loved us first (1 John 4:19).
Right relationship is built from right love. Right love comes from God. If the righteous waves are against the direction of your relationship, think again. It may be love but it can be wrong love. Don't let yourself be overpowered by emotion for it may only bring destruction. Be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God has already prepared the right one for us. I remembered once in our small group sessions in church, a brother used the picture of creation to describe when God will bring to you your rightful partner. God gave Eve to Adam when the Eden was already furnished. In the same way, God will give the man a woman to be his partner when his life is already furnished. God wants the man to be prepared before getting into a serious relationship.
I never felt sorry for not entering into any serious relationship before. On the contrary, I'm actually proud of not giving in to persuasions. I don't feel like I missed anything along the way. I feel whole and complete. I haven't found the right one for me just yet but I'll be patiently waiting. I'm faithful that God has prepared the finest for me. In the mean time, I know that I need to furnish my life further so it will be pleasing when the right one arrives. I believe that God will send me the woman that I've been praying for in His rightful time. Someone who shares the same aspiration and the same devotion that I have. His promise never fails. I know my Eve has yet to come. And when she does, I'll make sure I'll be her first and last Adam.

Why The Son?

Last week, I stumbled across a forum site and I was caught by this certain thread where people discuss and share their views on the right way to salvation. As I expected, someone declared Jesus is the way! And as I scrolled down the page, I spotted an unexpected post which then affirmed the realization that I simply can't respond to all the divine mysteries. Someone asked, "Why would God give His son Jesus instead of Himself to save us? In this world, more often than not, a Father would definitely offer his own life in exchange of his dear son's. So why is that so?"... End of thread. No one dared to challenge the post.
Again, another query that I didn't see coming. A new test to my knowledge and understanding of the Word. I've searched my heart and reflected, praying that I may find an answer; but to no avail. I am secured about my faith and I wholeheartedly accepted Jesus as my way to salvation; but this question really made sense. Why the son? Why not the Father? And so I felt the enemy trying take the advantage of the situation and setup it's evil scheme on me. I knew that I need to seal that little hole in my faith immediately before my spirit gets contaminated.
I spent the weekend over at my friend's house - my ultimate ally in Christian crime. The place was messy as always but there's just a lot of wisdom to gain from the man; so the chaotic atmosphere was tolerable. And I was never disappointed.
I told him about this thing that bugged me for days. His response was simple yet it's just what I needed to hear. He said, "The point is what God can give". My mind digested the thought for a moment. And suddenly, it was a shot to the heart. Who are we to doubt the ways of the Lord? God allowed Jesus to pay for the price of our sins. Imagine how hard it is for a Father to sacrifice His only begotten son; but He did it anyway. You may be thinking that it would've been more credible if the Father gave Himself instead and spared His son; but what made Him do otherwise? The reason is You! That's what God is willing to offer in order for you to live. That's how worthy you are in the eyes of the Lord. That's how much God loves you. That's how great His desire is to reunite with you.
A lot of people end up living miserable lives because they fail to acknowledge their worth. They are longing for affection, yearning for value and aching for importance. The world can't give you all these. For the world is imperfect. It will always fall short. Only God can offer you these things completely. Only God can fully satisfy the desires of your heart. He will never fall short. In God, you are worthy. You are valuable. You are important. You are as precious as the blood of His son.

A Good Harvest

It feels rewarding whenever I get the chance to share my thoughts with people concerning God. I admit that my knowledge is not enough and I am yet to learn a lot to answer all their questions in life. But I trust that the sincerity of my heart gives me the credibility to impart the wisdom I've gained through the years I've walked with Him.
I've always thought that I don't have the talent to speak of His words. I've struggled with myself - I wasn't trained to preach, that's just not my line. I was overwhelmed by fear and doubt about my capabilities - what should I say? how should I respond? will they believe me? And all this time, I was missing the point.
I came to realize it was never about me. I'm not boasting about myself here. I don't take pride in what I know that others don't. I'm sharing God. It's all about Him. And true enough, even I get surprised whenever I am challenged by conversations about God and life. The Word speaks of the truth, "for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:20). When you're full of the Holy Spirit, it just overflows. I myself am amazed how words came out of my lips impulsively. You may think you're not capable but our God is a God of wonders. If God can use a donkey to speak of the truth then why can't He use you?
It is worthy to continue growing and advancing in our knowledge of God. But everything will be in vain if we just keep it to ourselves. We should learn to halt for a moment and listen to the world. There's a lot of wandering souls seeking for truth. Didn't Jesus say “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:9)? Let's not be selfish. Let down all your hesitations and learn to share God!
Some people will pay attention but don't expect everyone to listen. Some will believe, others will question. But don't ever lose courage. Don't ever despise small beginnings. Keep on planting the seeds and pray for a good harvest. And before you know it, you just won another soul. Another prodigal child was reunited with the Father. One of those seeds you planted has just grown into a fine resilient tree.