"It's been crazy 2 months and I was feeling like everyday is a not-so-perfect day. I struggled a lot, especially at work with schedules and that everything doesn’t seem to fall into the right place. I felt bombarded with bunches of stressors and I was so skeptic, so exhausted of doing these repetitive routines each day. I was lost and can't find ways to get back to my senses. I needed a break, redemption instead. And then, the Lord says, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14).
Truly, God is always working in me. He brought me to the Singolympics (an answered prayer indeed). Honestly, I didn't know how will I participate, I don't have the talent and I am not into sports. But still, at least I had the time. Time to enjoy the moment, time to flee from stress and release the tension, time to rekindle with friends, time to discover more of myself and a quality time to spend more for the Lord. I enjoyed a lot, taking part in fun games, cheering for our players and savoring the victory.
God's gift of rest to satisfied my needs. It did not end there, in spite of the pain I felt all over my body (primarily induced by that sleeping worm game. Oops! Not complaining, in fact, I really did enjoy it! Haha), I was given this opportunity to attend our first Prayer Assembly for this year which was headed by Bro. Fed and Sis Abhie, with the theme: Fulfill the ministry" Then, this sharing proceeded.
"Why do you stay?"- Bro. Fed asked as he initiated our PA. Some of us have been in the community for maybe 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and so on. But then again, what made us stay in the ministry of Christ? Bro. Jeff answered comparing our love with the ministry to our families, whom we love so much more than ourselves. With this great love, we always prefer to stay with them whatever circumstances may come. But being a human, a dreamer and a goal-getter, we often seek for progress and triumph. As we aspire to become more, we sometimes have to go and leave our homes. But in time, we always take that way back to our families, our sanctuary. Same goes with how we treasure this community. Whether you are a highly advocated one, a "sakto lang", a "lu-li" (lulubog-lilitaw) or a totally "lie-low" one, when it comes to service, one thing is for sure, at the end of this trek, we all have this strong desire to go back to the heart of worship, we all aim to be in that sanctum that our mighty Father has prepared for us.
"Why do we stay?" Considering all these blessings, a lifetime is never enough to payback for God's grace and glory. His love is truly overflowing. But we, humans, are often blinded by life's adversities. We focus on difficulties rather than His goodness. However, He always understands our imperfections and embraces our flaws.
There are even times that we feel like we no longer deserve what He's giving, but still, God never cease to sanctify us and give prosperity. He forgives even before we seek for forgiveness. He is indeed an amazing God who doesn't want anything from us but us. He simply wants us to follow His footsteps, to trust Him and to obey Him. He even attested in 2Timothy 4:5, "But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you." We are chosen to build His Church and to evangelize His people.
"Why do we stay?" As Christians, we reckon each day as our ceaseless discovery of His unfolding plan for us. It's our great opportunity to have a closer encounter with Christ; to learn more of Him as we take this journey of proclaiming His words; to experience Him as we meet people by chances or by fate; to serve him by serving and praying for others. But being an SFC, it seems like people already anticipates our lives to be easier, with less hassles, less problems, less struggles or misfortunes. These expectations often make them overlook the fact that the more we are drawn closer to Him, the more we are being tested. But as He says, "Be still", in spite of any lacking in life, we as SFC, choose to stand firm in faith.
But then again, "why am I still here?" It’s simply because, it’s where I learned to see the value of what's really valuable. It helps me discover and unveil the better version of myself not for me alone but for others and for Him. Above all, I stay because it's where I am happiest. We all have this missing piece in our life that only this ministry can fulfil.
For all of this, may God be praised.
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