A Day of Festivity

     I’m looking outside my window at the Christmas lights, wishing to be stars, and the light that emanates is something wonderful, colorful and festive. In reality, life is like those Christmas lights- only superficial and could only last for a month; after that is another year. My optimism fades, sometimes unlit, and sometimes bright; hoping it will endure up to the last days. Surprisingly but anticipated that life can never be foreseen. Every detail in our lives- the surroundings, every speck of dirt is never expected. But, in God’s eyes, our lives are already there, on the pages of the heavenly book collecting dust since the creation of man; waiting to be opened and read by someone worthy, someone with justice on his right hand, and love on the other. Praying for tomorrow; praying for all, for I’m not alone. There is a place where lovers meet; a place that existed years before they met- in our hearts.

God's Teachings

     Thanks be to God and His disciples, for now my eyes can see!
     What I’ve said about observing the Sabbath were human rules and has no godly origin. It is said, “And Jesus concluded, ‘The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath.’” (Mark 2:27) Therefore, my observance of the Sabbath every Sunday, were just traditions that we do for the sake of tradition. The truth is we should honor God not only on Sundays but everyday, every hour, every minute, and every second in our lives. David took food from the altar and gave it to his hungry men, and so, he did not sin or break any law. For what God is after is kindness. In Mark 12:29 it says, “Jesus replied, ‘The most important one is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second most commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.’” These two is the new commandment given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ that we MUST follow, and not the Law of Moses since it is also said in Luke 16:16-17, “The Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were in effect up to the time of John the Baptist; since then the Good News about the Kingdom of God is being told, and everyone forces their way in. But it is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest detail of the Law to be done away with.” That is why it is also written that what is impossible for human beings is possible for God. And, through believing and following Jesus Christ, we are saved. (Mark 10:17-31) This is the new Teaching.

Leading Servant

     Everybody wants to be a leader. Nobody wants to be a servant because people have this perception that servants are lower, inferior beings, a little higher than nothing. Take for example politics in our country. Everyone is craving to be president, or at least the president’s president. It is seldom heard from people, “I aspire to be a maid servant.” Ok, I made my point.
     Jesus, while he was still on earth, was a leader. He made his campaign to save all people by believing on Him and following God’s ways. He led his own few disciples by teaching them spiritual things using physical things, and by parables and miracles. If you have read leadership books, you will encounter this principle right away that Leaders must not withhold knowledge that is important for your followers’ growth, so someday the leader can trust his followers to do his duty well when he is not around. As you might have assumed, this is applicable in the workplace.
     However, some leadership books are lacking on something. You can seldom see that a leader must also be humble, loving and show compassion to his followers. Jesus showed his leadership qualities by being first a servant by washing his disciples’ feet; feed multitudes, kindness to outcasts and following his Spiritual Father wherever he goes, thus setting an example for others that a leader must also serve.

The Driver Seat

     Yesterday Friday, my mom and I went out to meet my dad at Alabang to have dinner. No special occasion just some family talk (or status report in business talk). Anyway, we got on the road around 5pm and commuted. As we were riding, we noticed some traffic as we got passed SM, but after that is another story.
     So, we are just sitting on a cramped FX waiting for the traffic to ease. But, as we arrived near Madrigal, my legs are beginning to complain. So, the traffic just stopped, in stand still, trapped in a black hole, and my mind was oblivious, racing to find some solution in a seemingly helpless situation. “I’m not the driver,” I thought. “I couldn’t just steer the wheel and decide for the passengers; I do not have control,” I said.
     Before any trip, I usually try to pray quietly for protection because I learned this lesson the hard way. Yup, I had an accident before, and because of that, things happened inside of me that changed me ever since.
     Therefore, in the middle of a “stuck in a moment” kinda thing, God gave me some advice. If we’re going to meet in Alabang and we were near the Town, why doesn’t my dad meet us there instead, rather than waiting for us farther South with the horrendous traffic? I told my mom and called my dad to consider the option. Afterwards, we got out and walked. Like the music video of REM, when the people stuck on traffic just got out and walked, well, I never thought I’d seen one!
     We are never in control, but we do have decisions to make that choose our path. In the end, God’s will is done in heaven as it is on earth, and through God’s eyes, our lives are predetermined. We just don’t know it. GB (God Bless!)