Thank you Lord!!!
I always look forward for our National Leaders Assembly because this is a great opportunity to meet and greet my friends from previous missions, service and GI's (God's instruments) of inspiration, love and faithfulness. When I woke up that morning, I realized that I have to travel from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi for the assembly and part of me is telling myself not to attend and just make excuses to my Cluster and Chapter CFC Coordinators. I didn't give up to the call of the flesh so I changed and traveled all the way from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi.
We reached St. Joseph’s Cathedral and had a hard time looking for the hall. We found out that it is in basement parking area. The music min started playing songs for gathering and eventually taught us the song for this year’s theme “Stand Firm in the Faith”. I was reminded that amidst life hurdles and difficulties, to remain steadfast and firm, do it with love.
Tito Nick, AREA CFC-SFC Coordinator welcomed us all the participants and shared God’s victories in his life. He mentioned this not just once but a lot of times that we cannot outsmarted and outdone God’s generosity. It hit me that time because I have financial struggles due to wrong decision in investment. I am struggling in my finances but God provided me everything. I have a stable job, a right mind and body, harmonious relationship with my loved ones. God showers His generosity everyday! Thank you Jesus!
Bro. Chito de Aro, SFC-Abu Dhabi led us the opening worship and in his exhortation he mentioned about his vision while he was preparing for his worship. He mentioned about a young boy who reminded him of how bless he is. I was reminded again that I always took for granted what God has blessed me with. Bro. Chito asked us to closes our eyes and everytime we hear the word “opportunity” our response should be our sweetest “thank you” to the Lord. The exercise reminded me of being so focused on the negative things in my life that I lost the chance of seeing and appreciating the so many opportunities the Lord have given me. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” which was our last year’s theme. Right after the worship, all I can say deep inside my heart was “thank you Lord”.
Tito Calvin Paquibot our SFC country coordinator did the exhortation/talk about the better struggles, powered by the Holy Spirit, our daily call to holiness. It was taken from the book of Colossians 3:15-17 “and let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”
Tito Calvin shared his experiences in SFC Pre-Icon in Iloilo and he mentioned the theme “Explore, encounter and experience. He shared that during the three days activities he got the opportunities to explore, encounter and experience Jesus even in his hotel room, durung sunrise and while walking in the beach. Tito reminded us to always seek Jesus in everything we do and take every chance as an opportunity to encounter and experience Him. We might be struggling with our call to Holiness but Jesus has given us already the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us. The moment we are not with the Holy Spirit, we are not with God. I love tito’s reflection on baking a cake, he said let us all be like the cake allow the baker to mold us. I thank the Lord for allowing me to hear such powerful words that at the end of the day He is still in control. I might be experiencing a lot of things lately but God uses these things to mold me not just to be better but the best person I can be. I might at time stretch to my limits but I was reminded to bow down, pause, explore, encounter and experience Him. Everyday is a real struggle but God will always be with us no matter what, all we have to do is repent and rely on His grace and strength. We might have done something unrighteous in the past but God is merciful and forgiving, He looks our heart, looking beyond the human eyes can see. Tito reminded us that we are call to witness and need to encounter Christ to each other.
Sharing is always my favorite part of the assembly, and all of the sharers directly spoke to my heart. I can’t forget Bro. Joel of Northern Emirates shared that he was just got a big no from a sister whom he was pursuing but he took it in a positive way. He said God is closer to the broken hearted and to remain joyful. Jesus loves us first and he is even ready to get hurt. In loving, we should get ready to get hurt. Sis. Toni of Dubai mentioned that this year’s theme is very personal to her as she is currently struggling with family issues. She mentioned that the “Lord will really test us to the hardest.” Tito Perry our Area coordinator of northern emirates shared his love story with Tita Jen and said “ do the first step and God will do the rest, dedicate and surrender for He will not look of who you are but what’s really inside your heart”
I was so amazed how the Lord spoke to me through His mouthpieces that day. I was so blessed that I never allow my flesh to control me and decided to attend the assembly. I realized that National Leader’s Assembly is not just about meeting friends or brothers and sisters in Christ but more of a personal encounter with Jesus. It is actually a date with our Lord. I know I still have my struggles every day but this time I know that it is a better struggle because I know and reminded that God is with me. He uses these struggles and allows me to explore, encounter and experience Him. I will forever grateful to god for using this community and his people to draw me closer to Him.
Thank you Lord Jesus for the opportunity.
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