The Choice Is Yours.

       We are now getting closer and closer on the date wherein we as individuals will use the power of choice that will determine the destiny of our nation. A one-time big time event that will shake and shift the course of our country again. A crucial time where we as citizens of this nation cannot afford to become victims again, but rather use our minds to decide circumspectly in choosing the ones who are capable and eligible to do it.

       And as Christians, being led by His Spirit and people who know God’s Word, we are mandated to bring change as a part of this society that we’re living in. We cannot afford to treat this opportunity lightly. We must be confident that our votes as it will be casted and counted will bring a voice that will change the tainted image of politics throughout the decades.  We can’t be so blind and ignorant enough. Our future is at stake.

      Just want to share you some relevant tips that you can consider as you vote this coming elections before that indelible ink will be dropped at your fingers.

Be Watchful– Watching forums provided by Comelec and television networks and following news about these candidates will help you become aware of their capabilities (and weaknesses, as if they will show it) and what they can offer for this country to convince us why should we vote them. We must become vigilant about any move that these candidates will do. For now the only basis that we can consider to choose as of this moment is what we see about them. Observe how they deal and talk with people. Observe how they walk their talk. Observe how they run their lives every day on and off the camera. We don’t know them at all. But we can know it gradually by how they live their lives.Their action of life speaks louder than the words that they promise.

Be Intuitive – Choose people who have an integrity, aptitude and capacity that cannot be questioned. We don’t want to pick people who are hollow in their convictions and capabilities in life and government and how they relate with their environment. We can reckon it on how they’ve proved their service to the people as they served in government and people all these years. We must appoint someone that his/her life can stand qualified without any spot or taint of uncertainty.

Be Spiritual–We shouldn’t negate what the Word of God says about choosing the right leaders and eventually submit ourselves unto it. In the remaining days of the campaign period, spend some time to pray for the destiny of our nation and that we may have a truthful, honest, history-changing elections. Ask God for discernment to know and choose carefully the right person that He wants to appoint in this higher degree of authority in the land. God honours our prayers. He will not left it unanswered.

Be Educated– Ignorance is a result of unawareness. We cannot disregard the potential of having a great future because of our lack of knowledge today.  Especially to those registered voters that are young at age. A big chunk of the country’s registered voters belongs to these group. You can watch news or if you’re a reader, (read the Bible first, then) read well-known sensible newspapers. Or rather than spending hours in playing computer games or scrolling and posting other things in different social media sites, why don’t you use an ample time to educate and inform yourself online? The information that we need about the candidate’s whole self is just a click away. You have no excuse to be informed.

Be Logical -We cannot expect that the fruit that we will be harvesting is different from the kind of seed that we will sow. We need to have a guided formal principles to act that will guarantee the effect of what we will be doing today by selecting the eligible people to fill in those government posts. If an old system is prevailing from the former governance, we need to replace new ones with new ideas that will eradicate it. We cannot stay the same and expect for change. Why do you need to use something that’s worn-out and exhausted if you can replace it? Just saying.

Be Yielding – to your own convictions. Do not let yourself be convinced by those too-good-to-be-true or asserting commercials that you see in your TV screens, influence you with their opinions or bribe you with something so you can be persuaded. Never influence other’s conviction as well.  Learn how to respect other's views too. At the end of the day, you will give account upon the choice of candidates that you’ve chosen. Sleep with peace in your heart and settlement in your mind knowing that whom you’ve selected is the person you believe that will make the job accomplished.

       It takes a risk to trust them. Let us be also reminded that the candidates we will choose are not perfect. To reach on a destiny that we want to arrive, rallying our hopes and aspirations to let this country be changed is not enough. Believing in ourselves with the aid of the Almighty God and participating in what needs to be done is also necessary. They are not superheroes that will change the country and the system in one day. Let us be the change that we want to be for this nation. And we can make that change by voting WISELY. 

His Love Wins

It was 10:30 pm. I was sitting inside a convenience store at Alabang. I bought a chocolate drink paired with ham and cheese sandwich and ate it inside. I rested for a while after I drove back our church vehicle in our church. I felt so tired that Sunday night because I have not recovered an enough rest from driving a church mate in two different wedding locations last night. All that I’m thinking while eating were rest and sleep.

Then, I saw a young street boy having a short talk with the guard outside. Eventually, he got inside and bought dingdong nuts. I looked at him shortly and continued eating my snack. As I glanced at him again, I found out that he was sniffing solvent inside a plastic bag as he went outside.

Suddenly, an unction began to rise inside my heart, I thought, “Oh no, not this time.” That unction leads me to go to the boy to share who Christ is.

Thoughts of discussion roused immediately in my mind.

The first thought says, “I’m so tired. I’m not ready to do it.”

The second thought replied, “Are you selfish of My love that I gave for you? Talk to him after you eat.”

“I don’t feel I can do it right now. I deserve rest.”

“Will you pass this given opportunity to share My love for him? That indicates your ungratefulness.”

After all the arguments, I realized, I need to decide. I chose not to talk with the boy and convinced myself that I’ll be heading towards the waiting area for vehicles that I will ride going back home. After a few steps away from the store, I saw three street kids sitting in front of a pizza restaurant. I justified my excuse the second time around but the tension in the inside of me escalated. The unction now became a conviction. I sensed a deep pulling conviction in my heart as I was walking away from them.

I am determined to suppress it. I know I can get over with it if I just walked away.

Well, guess what? I stopped and went back.

I went back and started to talk with these three street kids. I called the young boy that I saw and I have found out that he’s along with them. In my questions, I found out that no one ever dared to share them before how to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. I became so honest and told them that I don’t want to do what I am doing to them right now but God has set this time for a purpose that they may know the love of God through receiving Jesus. I told them that God wants them to know that God loves them; that God can transform their hearts; that God has a plan for them and that He can give them a bright future whatever the situation they have right now (in Filipino language).

And eventually, I led them to a prayer of salvation. They responded.

After that, I left them for a while and returned for the four of them with hotdog sandwiches to fill their empty stomachs. To be honest, until that point, I am still reluctant to do it because I’m saving that money to fix my bicycle the next day.

A thought had sprung out in my mind that pacified my argument. “You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving.”

I began to process those things after I gave the sandwich and left them. I felt rebuked as I have found myself insisting my own senseless excuse. It posed a question inside of me. “How can you respond to My love if you don’t reach out to those whom I love too?” I was so convicted and eventually repented.

I realized that it’s not me. It’s the love of Christ that’s settling inside of my heart that produced that force that made me respond even if my mind does not agree with it. Being led by Christ’s love has moved me to go beyond what is expected.

And so love has changed the way I should see them. As it is written in the Amplified version of 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us…”By embracing the awareness of the love of Christ that dwells in my heart, it became my turning point which made me decide to return for them. And that was also my lesson point for me to experience how it is to be moved by Christ’s love.

Our God is not bothered with our excuses. He doesn’t mind if we find our way to justify our reasons. But in the process, He will surely make a way for you to fulfill it and you cannot argue with Him.

Our reasons and excuses can’t win. His love, in the end, only wins. 

Hope Renewed Upon Waiting.

     Most people look at the word "wait" as a form of unsure answer. A certain dictionary denotes it as, "to delay or to tarry."  Most of you will agree more on the following sentences as to what comes up to your mind when that word is spoken: "To remain temporarily neglected, unattended to, or postponed."

     Have you ever been tired of waiting? Being frustrated about it? How about the feeling of being disappointed because of it? Do you see your life with anxiety because you're thinking you are running out of time?

     Dreams that were unfulfilled; expectations that have not transpired; plans that did not manifest because you have waited for people; opportunity and timings that you have considered to be a turning point in your life but they have failed to happen.

     And now, you see this year as an opportunity to take chance to do it again but carefully this time, you begin to ponder such things that you have analyzed; why it failed and start to worry and fret about it, making you a reactionary and eventually drains out the hope you can give to individuals, occasions, and seasons.

     That's how the world contemplates it and many people are suffering on that notion about waiting. It makes them miss out the good things that God has prepared for them. They have done it their way and their timing.

     We, as humans, have the tendency to be demanding and impatient but God doesn't expect us to live that way.

     This year is an opportunity to renew out thoughts about waiting.

     It says in the book of Isaiah, "But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagle, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (emphasis added). The word "wait" there in the Hebrew translation implies, "to expect, look for, and hope."

     Prophet Isaiah distinctively reminds us that we should not wait nor depend in the things we see other than the Lord himself. He never mentioned that money, fame, promotion, a group, a person, or anything that this world can give will rejuvenate our strength. It is through our Lord, our great God alone.

     And what's more fascinating is He gives a renewal of strength when we wait upon Him. He empowers us to soar high and go further. This renewal makes us enough to say that it is not in our strength alone do we rely on the great things that we want to pursue and achieve. Only His strength makes us strengthened.

     God can restore the time that was lost. He can do some things that we cannot. Stop taking this on your toll. Put your hope in Him and let Him help you succeed and thrive in life.

     When there is an evidence of faith in our lives, faith arises. And faith, our faith takes God at His Word when circumstances seem to deny the truth of His promises. So don't be weary about waiting on the Lord. It will protect you and make you rise above the heights.

     God's plans and purposes for us are way beyond what we could think or imagine. As we change our calendars, we can change our dealings in life with an expectant heart and a renewed perspective about waiting.

     Better start this year waiting upon Him. You have nothing to loose. You have more to gain when you wait - expect, look for, and hope, in Him.

Ang Halaga.

Pinauna ko na sila Mama, Papa at mga kapatid ko. Nagpasya akong magpaiwan muna sa bahay at magpahinga dulot ng mahabang biyaheng iminaneho ko kahapon. Pero hindi apektado ng pagod ko ang mga masasayang ala-ala na nakuha ko kasama ang mga churchmates ko nung mga nagdaang araw.

Alas-otso trenta'y uno ng umaga.

Lumabas ako saglit ng bahay para magpa-load. Nakita ko si ate Ella na inaalalayan ang lakad ng kanyang apo, kapitbahay namin, at binati ako.

"Merry Christmas, Paul." 

Napatigil ako saglit at tumugon ako. "Merry Christmas din po." Nag-usap kami sa gitna ng daan.

Matapos kong bumati ay bumitaw siya ng ganitong mga kataga.

"Grabe Paul no, ang hirap ng pasko natin, wala tayong pera. Dito lang tayo sa atin."

"Ay wala nga po sila diyan, ako lang po naiwan mag-isa sa bahay, luluwas din po ako mamaya pa-Nueva Ecija", tugon ko.

"San kayo sa Nueva Ecija?"

"Sa Cabiao po."

"Alam mo Paul, may mga borders akong natulungan, mga tiga-riyan sa Cabiao, ang ganda na ng buhay nila, nagtiyaga lang sila, mahirap lang buhay nila noon, pinatira ko sila sa akin dati, nung nakatapos, nagpapasalamat sila kasi natulungan ko sila, lalo na yung isang engineer, nakatapos ng pag-aaral tas pumasa pa sa board exam, maayos na mga buhay ngayon, mga Enriquez ang apilyido, baka makita mo sila."

"Marahil po malapit sila kela lola. Mga Sigua, Palma, magkakatabi lang po yung mga yun. Maitanong ko po sa kanila pagdating ko po dun."

"Ah dun pala kayo magpapasko. May mga kamag-anak naman kayo sa States di ba, nagpapadala naman sila sa inyo?"

"Ay opo, pero kapatid po ng nanay ni Mama iyon. Kela lola lang po muna kami tutuloy.

"Maigi pa kayo, buong pamilya kayo mag-pasko, ako dito lang kasama ni kuya Gerry mo, wala akong pera. Dati nagbibigay ako sa mga bata pag ganitong pasko ng bente-bente. Ngayon, Paul, wala talaga. Nanghinayang ako kasi nag-resign ako ng maaga, pero ayos na din yun kasi pagod na rin ako. Mag-antay pa ako ng tatlong taon para sa pension ko, 57 na ako ngayon. Hirap ng walang trabaho.

Nagpatuloy akong pakinggan ang salaysay niya. Kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagkabalisa.

"Si kuya Gerry mo, na-delay yung alis kasi pina-rebook siya ng agency di pa siya makasakay ng barko, nag-aantay siya ng tawag. Si Iris naman, nasa Dubai, magkano lang sinusuweldo niya, katorse-mil lang, madalang pa magpadala sa amin kasi nagbabayad pa siya ng mga utang saka gastusin. Si Esa naman, ayan sa apo ko napupunta yung sweldo niya sa call center (na naglalaro sa harap namin kasama ng mga maliliit na bata ng iba pa naming kapitbahay) ang hirap naman umasa sa kanila. Ang lungkot ng pasko ko ngayon, Paul.

"Ate Ella, hindi malungkot ang pasko mo, nakita mo yung apo mo o, malusog saka walang sakit.

hindi ka ba masaya niyan, may mga bagay sa buhay na di kayang bilhin ng pera pero pwede mong ipagpasalamat."

(bigalang lumingid ang luha sa kanyang mga mata)

"Sa totoo lang Paul, nagtitiis na lang ako sa ganitong kalagayan, napapaiyak na lang ako kasi ang dami kong tinulungan noon, parang alang nakakaalala sa akin ngayon. Ang tindi ng hirap na nararanasan namin ngayon."

"Ate Ella, may awa ang Diyos. Panadalian lang lahat ng iyan. Huwag kang mawalan ng pag-asa. Gusto mo ipag-pray kita para gumaan iyang loob mo?"

"Sige."

At itinapal ko yung kamay ko sa balikat niya at kami'y nanalangin.

At sumambit kaming dalawa ng "Amen."

Pagmulat ng mata ko, lalo pa siyang umiyak at nagpunas ng luha na dumaan sa salamin niya.

"May awa ang Diyos, walang imposible sa kanya. Magtiwala ka lang ate Ella. Nakita mo naman si Mama ngayon, magaling na. Akala namin hindi na siya gagaling sa sakit niya noon. Yung tindi ng hirap ng buhay namin noon, akala namin hanggang doon na lang. Lahat yun binago ni Lord. Tandaan niyo po ito, ate Ella. Tapat ang Diyos. Hindi niya kailanman kakalimutan ang sinumang kumakapit sa kanya."

"Thank you Paul ha. Pasensya ka na, naiyak ako ng ganito." At pinupunasan niya pa din ang luha niya.

"Wala pong problema yun."

Nagpatuloy lang akong nakinig sa kanya.

"Alam mo Paul, naalala ka ng bayaw ko dati nung nandiyan kayo sa court ni Papa mo, nag-crusade kayo diyan dati, nung maliit ka pa nun nakita ka niya nagber-verse verse ka. Maloko yun dati, lasenggero.  Sabi niya nasan na yung bata dun sa inyo na nagbe-verse, 'in the beginning, when God created', ganun. Sabi nung bayaw ko nasan na si Andrew, yung nag-mememory verse sa atin dati? Sabi ko sa kanya, hinde. Si Paul yun. Alam mo nasa UK na siya, nakapangasawa siya ng born again tas may katungkulan yung asawa niya dun. Ano ba yung mataas na posisyon sa inyo sa born again?

"Pastor po?"

"Oo ayun, Pastor yung asawa niya na babae, nasa UK na sila kaso di ko na sila makontak ngayon, para makuha ko sa kanya yung hiniram niya sa akin.

"Maigi po yun. Nabago buhay niya nang nakaparinig siya ng Salita ng Diyos. Nawa makontak niyo po siya ule para maibalik niya yung hiniram niya kay kuya Gerry.

"pero Paul, thank you talaga, gumaan ang loob ko."

At bigla siyang tinawag ng isa naming kapitbahay dahil inalok siyang kumain ng orange. Magalang akong nagpaalam at pumunta sa tindahan.

Nagnilay ako at isang bagay ang naunawaan ko. Hindi matutumbasan ng anumang salapi at yaman sa mundo ang biyaya ng langit na inihain ng Diyos sa bawat tao. Pinatunayan ng puntong iyon ang tunay na kahalagahan ng may Kristo sa puso ko at sa pamilya ko sa paglipas ng panahon. 

Pagbalik ko sa bahay, kinuha ko yung gitara ko at kumanta ng awit ng pasasalamat sa Diyos.

This Is What I Saw.

Being aligned in His will makes you to think like He thinks.

Our loving God doesn't want us to live in ignorance.

Therefore, he wants all of us to be educated, not only informed, by what His Word says.

And this changes the rules and the laws that man has formed.

Our loving God also places desires that we will be directed to go through.

When the heart is ready, when the time has prepared, when the right season has come and the right people are provided, these desires can really be a reality.

God has arranged everything that we will do before it manifests beforehand.

God is always in the administration of placing people for His Kingdom for a specific time with distinct assignments that He has purposed them to do in a specific season and promote them unto another season when they are ready to embrace it. And all the more, those who grasp such realization in their time of their lives that the reason why they are in a particular season is to receive from God and be trained by His Spirit will get a tremendous benefit from it.

Daily experiences now becomes more interesting and exciting. Life becomes more bearable and conquerable as it is being founded by the leading of the Spirit of God and His Word.

You begin to prove things, you begin to see things in a different angle, faith becomes more strengthened, and life gives you a definition to live with a purpose.

God is liberal to give us the wisdom that we need. But all the more in getting wisdom, ask for understanding.

By that, as we go through in life, we can understand that God is preparing us for something more greater.

Greater than ourselves, than our dreams, than our imaginations.

(09/18/15)

Tawag Ng Lansangan.

Pare.

Oo, ikaw na mahilig magsulat ng mga bagay-bagay. 
Hayaan mong kunin ko muna ang atensyon mo at isulat mo itong mga bagay na mamumutawi sa boses ko.

May mahalaga lang akong mensahe sa iyo na tiyak kong makakapagpabagal panamantala ng pinapabilis mong takbo ng buhay mo.

At wag ka munang magtangkang magsalita ha.
Pasalitain mo muna ako.

Umaamba ka nang magsalita eh.
Alam kong napakadali mong kausap.

Ako muna please.

Okey. Handa ka na? Simulan na natin.

Tindi mo tsong. Sa totoo lang, ang dami mo talagang alam.
Pero habang tumatanda kang pasulong (sana hindi paurong), eh lalo mo pang napagtatantong marami ka pang dapat malaman. Na isang magandang indikasyon ng iyong paglago na dahil sa pagkaunawa mong ito'y nais mong alamin at unawain pa ang mga bagay na hindi mo pa nalalaman.

Alam mo pre, may tip ako sa iyo.

Sa buhay na ito, hindi mo kailangang magmadali.

Ang lakas mo daw makabente-sais, yung iba sabi, trenta.
Eh bente-uno ka palang naman.

Kung makadiskarte ka sa buhay, daig mo pa ang may asawa, e binata ka pa lang naman.

Kung makapayo ka sa iba, akala mo kung sinong pantas na matagal nang nabuhay sa mundong kinakukulapulan ng kamangmangan pero ang sarili mo'y palihim na humihiyaw para sa aking kaalaman.

Kung makahamon ka ng laban sa bawat pagsubok ng buhay, akala mo hindi ka tatablan. Pero ang totoo'y tuwing masabuyan ka ng alon ay nag-aalangan ka nang sumagwan.

Pambihira ka talaga.

Hindi mo naman kailangang madaliing ganapin ang mga bagay na nakatakdang maganap. Hindi rin naman pwedeng madaliin nila ang mga bagay na itinakda nang maganap sa Kanyang panahon. 

Ba't ka nila minamadali?

Huwag kang magmadali.

Hindi bale nang pulido. Basta sigurado.

Heto pa.

Huwag kang magsawang magtanong. Hindi iyon tanda ng pagiging mangmang. Kasi makakakuha ka dun ng tamang kasagutan sa tanong mo, payo man ito o aral, utos man ito o banayad na pakiusap. Kalakip ng paalalang iyan ang iyong pakikinig.

Brad, makinig ka ng buong husay.

Doon sumisibol ang mga bagay na maluwalhati kapag naunawaan mo't isinagawa ang mga bagay-bagay bunga ng iyong pakikinig. 

Oops. Hindi pa ako tapos. 
Bago ka magsalita, pag-isipan mo muna.
Kasi di mo na mababawi iyon kapag naibulalas mo na.

Hindi ko maitatanggi na nakakahalinang kainin ang maraming putaheng nakahanda sa harapan mo. Pero payo ko, sa pagkain mo, sa panahong dinadaanan mo ngayon, piliin mo yung isusubo mo, at pag kinain mo, huwag mo lunukin agad. Nguyain mo muna nang maitapon mo yung mga batong maaring sumama sa kinakain mo, nang hindi ka ma-impatso at makuha mo ang sustansiya ng kinakain mo. May kapangyarihan kang pumili. Gamitin mo ng tama iyan nang di mo iluwa kalaunan.

Alam kong sanay na sanay kang maghintay. Tuloy mo lang iyan. Habang nasa gitna ka ng paghihintay ay alalahanin mo ang mga bagay na ito nang di masayang ang oras na dumadaan habang naghihintay. Ito ang magandang panahon kung saan ay maaari kang magbistay.

Tinatawanan lang kita noon sa tuwing iisnabin mo ko at di mo naiisip na masangguni man lang ang mga gagawin mo. Pero dahil mukhang sinusuyo mo ako"t hinahanap ngayon tulad ng isang makinang na diyamante na walang kapara at hindi mo ipagpapalit sa ginto at pilak, hindi ka mabibigo sa paghahanap mo. Sing-tamis ng pulot-pukyutan ang akin nang ipinalasap sa mga taong ako'y nasumpungan at ginawa nilang kaibigan.

Anak ka talaga ng Tatay mo. Nang Tatay mong nasa itaas na iba talaga mag-isip at ang iba'y hindi malirip. Gayahin mo siya kung paano niya tignan ang buhay, at mag-iiba ang pananaw mo pag nagkaroon ka ng matang katulad sa kanya.

Ikintal mo parati sa kukote mo iyan. Kasi may tendensiya kang makalimot. Ngunit kapag dinili-dili mo't tumimo sa iyo iyang mga paalala ko sa panahong dinadaanan mo ngayon, tiyak may kalalagyan kang maganda.







Di ba nasa gitna ka ng isang paglalakbay? Huwag ka lang bumiyahe mag-isa. Isama mo ako sa plano mo pag bumiyahe ka. Ginagarantiya kong mas malaki ang bentahe mo pag kasama mo ako.

Ano bang plano mo? Kung yung plano mo ay makinig sa plano ko, magandang plano iyan.

Yung plano ko kasi ay hinulma na ng Tatay mo. Nariyan lang naman ang Tatay mo. Makakaagapay mo ako kapag hiningi mo ako sa Kanya.

Kaibigan, titigil muna ako dito.
Pero ituloy mong gawin 'tong mensahe ko. Tumono man itong parang payong pang-kanto, magiging handa ka, anuman ang iyong maengkwentro. 




Nagmamalasakit sa iyo,

Karunungan.

The Psalmist's Desire.

Sometimes, things just happen when you don't expect it the most.

After pondering those lines of verses*, I turned the pages of my Bible to Psalm 23. I read the whole chapter and read it again for the second time and finished it. I thought to myself that reading the chapter will be enough to make myself encouraged. All I thought was what I have understood before about the whole chapter all these years is all that I can get again at that moment.

But it became different this time.

I started to read the chapter again. But at this time, I spoke it.

"The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want."

Suddenly, I stopped. I was supposed to continue to read the following lines but something sparked in me at the second phrase that caught my attention. I was led to focus on the word "want" and revelation just kicked in.

Most of us have understood that this verse is always referred in the area of need. The term "want" in the Greek word is synonymous with "lack". No wonder why this verse is comprehended and utilized as a declaration of faith in that aspect. Well, David came out to declare this phrase because that is how he pictures God ministering to him and it was the type of his occupation as a young boy back then. Delving further, such revelation has led me to extract the verse which has shown me something interesting to be deciphered as I've read it on a different angle.

The dictionary in our house defines "want" as "lack" which I've expected to come out. And the second meaning simply means "desire". This time, we will equate "want" with the word "desire".

Have you ever came to a point wherein you have to choose between something you wanted to do and something you had to do (because it was just necessary)?** Many people are doing what they need to do. Others are inclined to do what they want. Accountable people set aside the things they want to do so they can do those things that are needed to do. It takes sacrifice to take such action to be applied in a particular situation but to make a response be a part of their everyday lives. Which is a good thing.

But only special people take the higher road. These are those people who have found what they want to do and pursue for it, unyielding to the present circumstances around them and not succumbing themselves to the pressure of the immediate knowing that as they follow their hearts (being led by God) in doing what they want to do, it brings full satisfaction in their lives which will be their ultimate. They figured it out that what they wanted to do can cover and follow what needs to be done.

And from that idea, I understand why David was tagged as a man after God's own heart. Because aside from the fact that he will be well-fed by his Shepherd, he had made himself desired to have God and his guidance and be content with it. Let me expound this further. 

As David embraced fully in His life that the Shepherd is all that He need, he convinced himself that he will never be in want. Of what? (Take note that we'll equate want with desire). 

Of the things that can deviate him from God and His guidance. One of the primary things the Shepherd does to the sheepfold is to guide them. And He appreciated it a lot.

As if He was saying, "You are my Shepherd. I shall not want anything but only You and what you do in my life. I shall not want anything but You and your utmost guidance. I am contented with that." And it speaks a picture of great intimacy. God's guidance is what David had desired. And for him, that was enough. Actually, more than enough.

He didn't made himself be moved by those things that other people think was necessary for Him to do. He just wanted to do what He desired. Take note of the account when the Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant to his city from the house of Obed-Edom. No wonder when Michal, Saul's daughter, rebuked David as she saw him danced shamelessly (to the point that he uncovered himself) before the Ark, he just brushed her off.*** In the following passages, he justified his action to her as he wants to do it coming from his heart. For he yearned to follow his desire to respond to God rather than making himself conform with the necessities that other people expects, or much to say, demands him to do. What he wanted to do has led him eventually to do what's necessary.

He wanted the guidance of the Shepherd rather than the opportunities and the enticements that his circumstances and his environment demands to him. And the removal of the things that He wanted to have in this earth has been surpassed with the contentment that came from the result of desiring to be more intimate with God. And that settled him.

Truly indeed, making the Lord our Shepherd, we will not want anything that will remove us from His leading. We will not desire things that can distract us from being intimate with Him. We will not want anything but only His guidance. And that brings contentment in our lives.

As we have God, we will not want to be swayed by the mundane inclinations of this world for we yearn and long to live out His fullness in us. As we have His guidance we will not desire to be on the outside of His will. As we have His leading, we will not want ourselves to be frustrated and disappointed knowing that He feeds us hope and He will show us His way. And see our lives living in the eyes of faith.

No wonder why David became contented with His life. He never yearned anything of this world but only the guidance of God. This desire has brought him contentment which has given him the confidence and assurance to say that He will never be in want. And no wonder why he became so bold to continue to say the preceding verses.

To my surprise, I lately realized, I got stucked at the first verse for good. And from that, I came to this thought. We can appreciate and see the relevance of our God as a good Shepherd of our souls if we'll always want and desire Him to lead our lives. And God will always respond to that. As He guides us, he'll show us the necessary things that we need to do in life as we constantly desire and acknowledge Him, and let Him intervene, not only at some, but in all life's aspects.

Let me end with this statement. The verse doesn't limit itself to make it only referred to the area of need. It speaks as well of a resultant satisfaction and contentment that we can affirm in ourselves and we can have in Him as we fully say, believe, and understand the phrase in its another angle, and receive the benefits of how it is to be guided by the Great Shepherd.

*Philippians 4:19 & Matthew 6:25-34

**Excerpts from the short story "Dead Stars" authored by Paz Marquez Benitez taught by my college teacher. This is one of those good short stories I've liked when I was a college student back then. Credits to Ms. Kristina Malicdim.

***2 Samuel 6:1-23.