Vanity of Vanities

        How ironic it is for the wisest person who ever lived on earth to pronounce such statement as this. And how humbling it is for the four of us to see this statement posted in this mirror to make us put in our minds that we don’t need to be too much proud of what we have done, or where we were placed that day. I know these three girls will agree with me as they read this (with fingers crossed). Hehe.

Rather we remind ourselves that it is indeed a privilege to do what we are supposed to do that day. That makes us remember the reason why we have added our supply in this event. Our motivation is not to become famous, or letting other people tag us as one of the coolest as they see this (even though that thought can be unavoidable).

I can absolutely say that what we've done is one vanity of all vanities. Vainglorious to be exact. That can happen only and only if we had lost sight of the right motive and the true purpose why we’re there.

 Special thanks to: Becca Music Inc./SAVED Ministries.
Photo credits to: Ish Cocjin.

Taken at CCF Center, Ortigas, Pasig City. June 3, 2016

Starting from left:

Me, Ricka Raga, Ish Cocjin, and Najee Chua.

               Ish’s vain act of capturing as I reflected paved the way to address the reason why we were there. It is to become servants (like Jesus) and make Him be seen in us as we serve. And that in turn makes this vanity become significant.

              Sounds simple, right? But Solomon failed to get it when He exchanged his purpose to the things that he can gain from people and the world. We must not follow the same.

                I know that this will not be the last event that we will work together again as volunteers. We may be dispatched into different assignments in the next events but one thing is for sure, we will never let our true mission be dwindled away. We will see to it that we will be doing what we are doing for the Lord wherever we may be placed at. 

                And to those who are out there wondering if there’s this hope for you to be promoted in the posts that you want to reach, well, I have a good news for you. Yes. There is.

                The secret of it lies on faithfulness. And through it, God can promote you into those posts that you never imagined you will be doing but you will have because you remained faithful at what you do. Never belittle your humble beginnings. It will really lead you elsewhere.

                To wrap this up, do not become so driven by vain motivations. Keeping yourself in the right purpose defends you from the vain realities this life may throw at you. You wouldn’t want to become like Solomon who forgot his purpose, won’t you?

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“And I applied by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human] wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which God has given to the sons of man with which to be busied.”

                                                                                                 Ecclesiastes 1:13 (Amp)

Servants, Not Sovereigns

The background story of it is found at Mark 10:35-45 (take time to read it) when James and John, sons of Zebedee went to Jesus and ask Him if He may grant them to sit on his sides when He becomes glorified. All of the disciples were expecting that Jesus will overthrow the Roman government to replace it with His. And so these two wanted to secure their posts in the new kingdom if that happens. As the story develops, when the other ten heard it, they begin to become greatly displeased with James and John. After that, Jesus starts to illustrate an example of a picture of what it is that they’re expecting in their minds to see and began to expose the true motives of their self-seeking hearts.

And Jesus tells a sharp contrast of what He expects them to do. He said that those who want to be great must become a servant of all. A paradigm shift also transpired by telling them that even He (being the Son of Man) did not desired to be attended, but chose to give service, that He may put the toll on Himself and make His action become a once-and-for-all effort for others. 

Why is it that the ten began to be displeased with the two? Was it because of the two’s bold request to assure a position so that they can be a master over them? Is it because of their greed/worry knowing that they don’t want to be left behind? Or wouldn’t it because of their yearnings for glory and recognition that is obviously conformed in a worldly perspective?

Whatever reason it may be, only one thing is for sure. They want to become sovereigns. They want to be something so that they can rule over everything. Who would want to take the low road? All of them want to elevate themselves because they are sick and tired being seen as little citizens of their country. Those who have regal positions and titles will be given due respect by everyone.

But being a servant? That have really blown up their minds. Didn’t it boggled your mind as well?

The world’s system has inculcated it over our minds that being a servant is the lowest rank that we can be engaged in life. Most of us want to reign. We don’t want to be on the side lines of life. We want to become rulers in life. We crave for superiority.

But Jesus didn’t made a mistake. He was proposing a different notion from theirs, from this world’s norm. True greatness in His standard is measured by how you give your life rather than what you’ve gained in life. It is quantified by how you have served others and not by how many people are serving you. It is not enumerated by the titles that the world may tag on you but by how you respond to others that brings impact to your world.

Jesus is encouraging His disciples not to pursue superiority and be attached on it to signify their worth that they tend forget to reach others but rather humility that opens the avenue to demonstrate His love by becoming a servant. Like Him who left His throne in the heavens for the sake of us. 

His message until now still remains for us. Life becomes definitive when we are defined by what we’re ruling of. But life becomes purposive when we become mandated by the One whom we’re serving of. God uses small tools to perform large tasks. And living for Him entails a calling to be servants, not sovereigns. 

Greatness in Serving

As I recall it when I was a small boy back then, this question was asked. “What’s your motto in life?” I simply answer them like this.

“I want to live my life not just on the basis of success, but on the premise of significance.”

My whole thought about it back then was plainly this. Success is nothing if it’s not significant yet if I find myself significant through playing my part, it will be geared towards success.

Growing up, I was exposed in an environment where ignorance and complacency shouldn’t always be your best friend.

And there’s this battle between what you want to do and what’s the right thing to do in every situation.

The environment I’ve lived and the people who surrounded me in the crucial moments of my teenage years since I studied high school until I graduated college has directed me to always consider the latter than the former. I would’ve chosen to be unmindful of it, that I may enjoy the blessing of innocence, yet my heart feels so frustrated for others whenever if there’s a need that doesn’t met or plans that are not implemented just because they don’t know what to do or how to make it.

And so in those years, I delighted myself to first, observe, second, to know and learn, and lastly, to respond on the things that are happening in the life in which I have opened my eyes.During these times, the heart of being a servant was birthed out.I don’t know but I always find myself enjoying when I do humbling (and most of the time, unseen) yet very essential things that helps and benefits others and thus, gives me fulfillment in every schedule and commitment that I respond, day after day. Not only for the reason that I may not waste my time but to contribute myself as well to serve.

Never did I know that it was a harnessing time for me and all of it is happening for a purpose.

I have the rights to boast on the accomplishments that I have and the experiences that I’ve gone through which have propelled me to where I am today and to the assured future that I’ll be going, granted that all the things that I’ve done, in whole or in part, in the past have resulted in success. Yet wouldn’t it be seem so superficial if I find my acceptance and belonging through what I do that I may look great? But God has prevented that by reminding me always to be more humble and lowly as I come to acquire the beneficial wisdom that I use to serve and help others and as I gain more knowledge because of my hunger for learning.

That I shouldn’t depend on my capacities and abilities, rather remind myself that I am just a God’s vessel that I may make myself to be a blessing to others.

As I myself have witnessed (and became a victim of it as well) that in spite of the demanding standards of this life that frustrates and exasperates people, I have observed that the reason behind every man’s pursuit, perseverance, and diligence in everything that an individual does for his or her self is for the achievement of success so they can become great. There’s nothing wrong with that. But I discovered that other people do it with the wrong motives. This raises their vulnerability to measure their worth on what they have achieved and attained, and not from the One who has made them valuable because they’ve become blinded by earthly standards, thus, missing their purpose.

And all that we do in our lives, if it is not offered to God and if Jesus is not glorified,they are all vanity.

Therefore, I’ve come to align my viewpoint at the right purpose as young as I am. That I will do things, wherever I am placed, whatever that I do, and to whomever it is given, will never be done for self-glorification but for Christ’s appreciation. It was not a quick process to go through. But God never gave up on me. God has made me realized that the impact of what I am doing makes me more humbled.Which led me to create this thought.

My success will never define my significance but my significance will determine what my success is. It is found in Christ.

That’s why since then I do the things that I do in my scope of influence, loving it and see to it that excellence should never be an issue. I am motivated to become a supply because of Christ whose life is a great example of being a servant.

I’m so grateful that God has given me Christian parents who taught me the greatest thing that I must know in my life. To know Christ and find my purpose in Him.

I am what I am by the grace of God. I give to the serving environment and to the people in which I’ve opened my eyes upon, the credits as to why I have delighted myself to have a servant heart. I delighted as well to work behind the scenes. My availability has given me the opportunity to use the gifts that God has given me that I came to serve different kinds of people. I was able to maximize myself through our church.  And God has honored such faithfulness through the years that He brought me into places that I never imagined even in my wildest dreams I’ll be serving. And I know there’s more to come.

Servants are not motivated to become famous. They are just contented to where their Master is using them.They have nothing to brag. They always have a humble heart because they are grateful for the privilege that was been given to them. And His Word says God truly exalts those who are humble before Him.He also rewards those who are faithful.

From such humility,I have proved one thing. There is greatness in serving.

Discovering "Truth".

As believers, we can say that the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. The words that were written in it have surpassed all critics and are ascertained to be truthful and trustworthy. Scholars of the Bible have substantiated the veracity of it throughout the years and are worthy to note that it’s not just a work of literature created by different authors. It is real indeed a demonstration of God writing history in the affairs of humanity.

Yet even though we have this kind of understanding concerning the truths stated above, most of us are still left out as victims in life. We tend to stand out and defend the truths we have heard and agreed from God’s Word but when reality strikes against us, we begin to doubt about it, negating the capacity of that truth to stand and defend for us.

            Thoughts of uncertainty begin to creep in our heads. Frustration starts to diminish the truth we believe in. Anxiety and worry becomes so invasive. But good thing, we can glean simple points in a famous verse in the Word about Truth that can bring enlightenment to us as it is being presented in a simple yet relevant idea.

           We can see three points about how we can discover truth and how to let such truth be retained in the inner depths of our whole being in John 8:31-32. Let’s go to the first point.

And the truth shall make you free.- The essence of what truth can do in our lives is absolutely liberating. Truth cannot make you incarcerated by those thoughts of discouragement and disappointment. When you hold on to something that is true, no one can deceive you, mislead you or play tricks on you. The truth that you uphold can give you the courage and confidence to stand for it and fight for it when extreme situations arise. Jesus, as he was challenged by the Pharisees never yielded by their demeaning inquiries about him. He knows a validated source of truth where He can get the things that He’s saying about himself which the Pharisees didn’t knew. Well, He knew that truth alone cannot make someone free.  What you should do about the truth you hold is important, which leads us to our second point.

And you shall know the truth. –Truth is defined as something that is real and actual. It is something that has been proven. It is something that we have encountered and most of all, experienced. You cannot prove something to be true unless you have experienced it. It will make you a fool. The word “know” stated in this verse in the Greek term defines: the recognition of truth by personal experience; to perceive, realize, understand, gain knowledge; come to know; the knowledge that has an inception, a progress and an attainment. In respect to the vocabularies presented here, Jesus is addressing something. Knowing the truth is an unending discovery, it is a process that we cannot afford to skip. It is a conscious effort, a wilful choice to search, strive and prove it in ourselves so that such truth will be alive and embedded in our hearts as we go through life. The knowing, entertaining and believing of this truth does actually makes us free from prejudices, mistakes and false notions that enslaves and entangles our soul. And when we have proved that the truth that we’re learning out is validated by the results that are produced, it cannot be contested. That truth will remain in our lives. Jesus is the only one who knew that great experience with the Father. He cannot deny it. The Pharisees can’t nullify it. That knowing is the basis of his truth.  Jesus wants to point out the power of truth by knowing it can make someone free.

The essence of what truth is has been understood. The process to gain it is already explained. Now the question is, where and how can we gain truth in our lives? This leads us to our last point.

If you abide in my word, you are my disciples. – When he spoke this, he didn’t make it accidentally for the sake of the crowd that was persuaded by the authority of His words during that time as He was discussing with the Pharisees. He was trying to conceal something about these nine words that the Pharisees will never get. “Disciples” from the Greek term implies: to learn, thought with effort put forth. Far from the term “follower” that sometimes shoots up in our minds when we hear that word today. Jesus saw the relevance of this statement to us as present-day believers. He was expressing a certain event that happens when a disciple follows a teacher. He’s not just a follower. A disciple is a learner as well, that whatever he gets; he learns it and applies it in his everyday affairs. Jesus was so smart to hide this rich treasure behind these words. He knew that his earthly human presence will be transient, but His word which he has left for us will be permanent throughout the ages. And through His Word, with the power of the Holy Spirit, as we abide on it, we can grasp certain truths that we can lean and rely on and apply in life’s differentaspects. He wants to convey this idea from the context to us as if he was saying, if you abide in my word, you will learn indeed. And as you abide in my word, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. His word is a great source of truth that we can claim freely, believe fully and receive unquestionably. Abiding on His Word will always introduce us to the greatest truths that we ourselves are entitled to receive through Christ.

      What’s fascinating about it, a shift happens after six chapters from this story. The truth that Jesus is telling about the word that he invites us to abide is He himself. But that’s another story. We’ll just stop here.

      That makes us become victors in life. When we realize to understand His Word and its powerful truth behind, we begin to break barriers and limitations in our lives and never live the same, normal life again.

      The verse in its totality leaves us an encouragement (as we identify with Him being His disciples) and a condition which entails a factual result;a result that is manifested when we abide in His Word always. And the verse is presented as well in the right way when we take it contextually. We began to discover truth at its finest. 

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.