Morning Session with my Rock

 

There are times that we lack the courage to take another step, times when we fear to move into the next level. You’re maybe thinking about your current situation in your home, or perhaps in school where your classmates think that you’re that type of i-gotta-get-all-the-1.0s-in-the-world person, or even at work where your workmates think that you’re the boss’ pet. 

Today is October 28 and the month’s about to end. I remembered my last Youth Reload Cafe (if you’re wondering what this thing is, well, it’s a Christian gathering, or party ‘yay’, to celebrate and know more about God and to empower us, especially on our spiritual side) for cell leaders last October 13, which reminded me of going to the next level. We were challenged to do many things such as having n x 2, where n = current number of cell groups, cell groups, and so on. At this very point of time, after assessing myself, I haven’t actually gone to the level that I am supposed to be at.
 

Yes, I managed to graduate on my Post-Encounter class and I believe that’s already a big thing. But on the other aspects of my life: academics, cell group, my being a disciple, a son to my family, a friend, on my finances and time, and so on, my feet seemed to be immobilized by a magnet. What is this magnet? Fear.
 

When we climb to reach the top of the mountain, we experience varying environments. As we increase our altitude, the more problems we would encounter such as the change in temperature, pressure, oxygen availability, and many more, which could really result to fatal conditions. Not only that, huge amount of energy would really be needed to reach the top of the mountain. Those are what I am afraid of, the consequences of my actions.
 

To be in the next level means a different environment, i.e. an environment with more problems and trials. After graduating my post-encounter class, I realized that that wasn’t the end of the process; I still need to enrol on the School of Leaders class, which they say has more requirements and a lot difficult compared to the Post-Encounter class. Not only that, Satan would really strengthen his plans to beat me down by using my family perhaps to stop me from continuing the process, or making me busy in my academic life next semester to forget about evangelism or devotion. And, what most Christians fear of: persecution. Increasing the number of my cell groups means that I would need to meet more people, who could possibly persecute me or what. My father is even back in persecuting me. Perhaps some of my friends already think that I’m delusional, when I send them godly messages.
 

But I already anticipated these things to happen.
 

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...”(2 Timothy 3:12).
 

Yes, living a life as a Christian is hard. The consequences are to be feared of. But is this my fight? No. It’s His fight. I may have this fear, but because I’m under the grace of God, I believe I can do all of these things. People may think that I’m delusional, but let’s see who gets delusional when death comes. I may have fear inside my heart, but because of His overwhelming love, I feel secured. After all these things I said, though it’s a bit scary, but let’s see where my faith can take me. I want to keep my faith and fight the good fight. I will obey everything that He commands me to do, for faith is next to obedience. Let’s see where He is heading my life. It’s time to denature fear, and learn trust.
 

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Time to start the evangelism.
 

By the way, this should be a 2:18 am post.

Just how far is the East from the West?

I looked at myself and asked, how far have I gone as a Christian?

Honestly, I never planned to be like this. It never came to my mind that I'd come to know Him and worship Him. I was a rockstar before, definitely a social conformist. Attending the Sunday mass made me feel as a Christian. It never came to my mind the vision of winning souls, rather, just winning the people's hearts for my sake. This must be the West, where the sun goes down and ends its glory.

But look at where I am right now.

In the East, where the sun rises and takes dominion on earth, my life is now filled with hope. Psalm 103:12 says "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Christians who are absolutely living as Christians are definitely far from their previous state. But what about the others?

I have to share this, but in Philippians 3:18-19: The Enemies of the Cross

¹⁸For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

Are you one of them? Set the disparity. Invest for eternity.

Yes, I stumble too, many times. A thousand times. But I always go back to the paradigm of God holding a piece of metal. I am the metal, and God wants to form something out of my being metal. And yes we know that metals are difficult to bend and flex and form. But one thing:

Pressure is the force on an object that is spread over a surface area. The equation for pressure is the force divided by the area where the force is applied. Although this measurement is straightforward when a solid is pushing on a solid, the case of a solid pushing on a liquid or gas requires that the fluid be confined in a container. by Ron Kurtus (revised 18 March 2006)

In case we don't know or feel, oftentimes we are put into pressure. If we are appalled with pressure, be glad. For if we multiply surface area (ourselves) by pressure (things that pressure us), we get force. That means we have to exert more force (effort) to accomplish the force that was exerted on the first hand (oh yes, talk about jargons). But the bottom line is: we are molded by it. Metals are formed because of pressure exerted. When we try to open a can using a knife, we exert pressure and thus exert force. But what's the product? We enjoy our delicious meals or sauces.

This can also be applied to other people. When we handle people, as leaders perhaps, it's difficult to mold or instruct people. You have to exert force for them to move and to take the walk. But patience and determination determine our success. Also, by His grace, we succeed. It might be difficult during the start of the process (this is very applicable for me) but we, too, are molded by this difficult problem. We just need to take charge. A little pressure and a little patience for the temperature to rise, then this metal will surely melt.

Mom's back from Zamboanga, finally. Gotta set my goals tonight. Let's all level up and melt the metals!

Do you have feet?

I saw this vid posted in Facebook and my body shivered. The words punctured my heart. Are you ready to take your stand?

Finally back to blogging.

I wonder why I missed blogging. 

Perhaps the mere essence of writing made my fingers feel itchy. Perhaps my brain could no longer hold the information that are neither important nor unnecessary. Perhaps I finally realized that science sucks. Or not.

This afternoon, after unloading my things in the boarding house, I received a bad news. We are to remove our things from the house on October 15, else, we will have to pay Php 750.00, or that is equivalent to a month's rent. The owner of the house was angry because the house was really, really messy, (I, too, must admit. that the house was a mess - CR, kitchen area, dining area). Based on the person's statement, I am kicked out of the house, for a couple time and would eventually be allowed to go back during the start of the second semester. I felt devastated; four reasons:

1) This was not included in the plan. I planned my week to be fine, just enjoying the solitude inside my room and having enough time to spend time with God. I expected to just stay there this week and just be excellent in my studying habits.

2) They didn't tell me in advance. Yes, they're the owner of the house. But should they inform us ahead of time for us to prepare? And this week is final's week, i.e. make or break week for some of us. Yet, they're dispatching us this week, the week when we should really, really focus in our academic life. Too little time to prepare.

3) The fine is not fine. If you were to extend and stay there for a couple of days, say 3, days, still you would have to pay Php 750.00. And geez, they forgot that we're students.

4) My room felt the terror of Bagyong Ondoy and Peping. Water entered my room through the windows and wet my bed and many papers. I forgot to close the windows but I never thought that the water would really penetrate inside my room. 

But, nevertheless, I packed all my things with enthusiasm and without grumbling. Thank God I had my devotion today; excerpts are as follows:

Command - Philippians 2:3-4, 2:14-15

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  

   

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation."

Promise - Philippians 2:15

       Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

I cleaned my room and disinfected it. Thank God my devotional notebook was not wet by the rain. The event tested me but I can say that it changed me. It made me hold on to God's promise and made me a better person. I enjoyed cleaning and doing good things. But one thing's not changed: I'd still transfer to another boarding house for I no longer liked to stay there.