Despite coming from our respective workplaces, everyone was buzzing with excitement even before the music ministry went forward to pump up the energy. The hype from this year’s Singolympics still hasn’t worn off.
Our previous chapter head, Bro. JM Comia, greeted us warmly as usual. He explained why our prayer assembly was about our community’s 2018 theme, “Rekindle the gift… Fulfill your ministry!” No matter how spiritually mature we are, we should refocus. And since we were all busy with the preparation for the Singoplympics, it is possible that we have neglected our personal prayer times.
Bro. JM has mentioned four important things that calls for the attention to just stop for a moment and refocus: routine activities, being burned out, absence of a support system, and the secular world.
Should we find ourselves stuck in a monotonous and repetitive schedule, we should not let this dishearten us. We should remember to be convicted to our experience instead and inspire others on how the Lord works in our lives.
We may find ourselves saying “Yes!” to all services and that may cause us to sometimes burnout. Take a breather and remember that this is all for the glory of the Lord.
We all know the importance of a support system in the community and the detrimental effects of its absence. Be reminded that we are all gifts from the Lord (to each other) to be accepted, used, shared and celebrated.
We are in the generation where we find others conforming to their earthly needs, where we are being changed instead of changing the world. We should continue to stand firm in the faith and have courage to fend of the worldly things.
Our theme is reminding us to enlighten the world. Timothy’s exhortation calls for us to bring the torch for Christ’s ministry and to hand it to other people. The fulfillment of our calling is to evangelize people to have a heart to be transformed in Christ.
Bro. JM has led us into reflection, instead of the usual worship. This is because he wants us to connect to the Lord individually, focus in the message He wants us to hear, and practice how to communicate with Him. I find no words on how to describe the feeling and experience from that reflection, except that it is so Spirit-filled and emotional that I just found myself crying at the reassurance and love that the Lord is giving us.
In between singing “Refiner’s Fire” three times, we were asked to share the Lord’s message to us. I recall hearing words of comfort to “Take it easy.” after the first song. I felt so overwhelmed because I was so exhausted that month at work that I almost was not able to join the cheer dance because of missing many nights of practice and just attending barely two weeks before the event. After the second song, the Lord told me, “Rest in My arms.” I just broke down to pitiful sobbing because I suddenly felt so warm in my upper body, as if being engulfed and smothered from the Lord’s hug.
After calming down from the heart-warming reflection, two of our new members shared their Singolympics experience.
Bro. Alren Turno said that he felt overwhelmed meeting other SFCs. He said that he was dancing for a long time but it feels different when you are doing it for the Lord. He said that all the sacrifice was worth it, especially the time invested and the treasures shared. He felt really blessed since “Sinalubong ng champion ang first time!”
Sis. Vianca Peregrina said that Singolympics was an unexpected blessing for her as she was pushed out of her comfort zone. It was such a breakthrough that she looked forward to attending practice every night, and because of this she found herself gaining so many prayer warriors for her father. She has witnessed the miracle of God, that he is truly the God of impossible, for it took us 3 days of polishing our cheer dance routine but we won despite the lack of time.
Bro. JM felt inspired by the sharers and said that seeing the members grow in faith, service and community was the salary of the leaders. With this inspiration, he is bringing a lot of love to the other chapter he will be serving. He introduced our new chapter head, Bro. Rain Manansala. The latter has expressed that he actually wanted to have some “me time,” but the Lord has other plans for him. He mentioned that he found realizations through some songs we sung before the prayer assembly started. Such as “Send me,” which translated “Send me Lord to the chapter You have prepared.” and a part in “Refiner’s Fire” saying “Ready to do Your will.” He said he is very excited for our journey together and jokingly assured us that he just looks restricting but he is not.
Bro. JM was sent off with warm messages from the couple coordinators. Tita Lulu Casubuan stated how he is a good servant, brother and son. Tito Manny Casubuan honestly said that he has a mixed reaction and can only advise him to continue to serve with humility. Tita Vicky Nocillado promised to share what they learnt from him, while Tito Rod Nocillado said that he is a blessing to our chapter that he just has to be shared to another.
The members of Batch 2016 surprised Bro. JM with a song (with the help of Bro. Rain), a video, a cake, a gift, and a bunch of written messages he could read every now and then. Bro. JM said how touched he is with the send-off and that he had so much fun with us, he learnt how to sleep late just by talking to all his members. He said that this is not good bye as he is sure he will always see us around.
It was another memorable prayer assembly that ended with both tears and laughter, positive minds and blazing hearts filled with renewed vigor to serve the Lord even more.
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