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.

"Sinking In."

A simple yet relevant question was the only needed thing to just fully sink in to my senses the significance of the privilege of being a part of it down there, and understand the reason why I would want to be a part of it again, up here.

Three Sundays ago, my friends (which are my co-volunteers too) have received a variety of revelations, most of them brought their testimonies in our youth services, and delivered it in different perspectives. I'm proud to see them in front testifying God's goodness in us while we were there and how we experienced it from the outset until the end.

I entrusted to them to do the talking.

I settled myself to do the writing.

I assumed that I have nothing more to say because they have said it all. That was all I thought. Rest was a good thing to ponder at those moments (because we had an action-packed week with a series full of adventures, and all of us know what each of us had gone through).

But God.

In the middle of my reticent (and kinda-floating) mind, posed me a question which caught my attention.

"What is your pursuit?"

I took the question personally and asked myself again.

"What was indeed my real pursuit (at this thing)?"

To be honest, I was surprised not because it was surprising but I figured out lately that I have nothing to answer. So the quest to look for an answer started in my memory, hoping that I could find one.

I began to recall every moment that I can remember, scrutinizing all its finest details in order for me to find it and give meaning as to why it was a pleasure for me and the team to do what we've done and gave the things that we've given to make that conference transpired.

Then I remembered the time I went through the groups of teens that were led by Jon and Anna Curtis who made a street evangelism on the seaside of Balingasag.

As I captured and witness those youths who were ministering to those people and sharing God's love for them gave me a perspective to see a simple yet relevant answer to the question that was asked to me earlier.

The reason why that boy with His groupmates didn't budged themselves by the hesitancy at first of that old couple and they were bold enough to minister in that stone couch and led them to a prayer of salvation eventually falls at this motivation.

The reason why that girl was so eager to share to those kids who Jesus is and tells them why He doesn't want them to go to hell is being defined by this explanation.

The reason why that girl didn't felt absurd to pray that woman even though she's playing mahjong rests in this intuition.

After recalling those events, realization came to my senses.

I tried to relate it on every activities of the conference. In every worship rally, in those divided streams, in the motives behind the people who participated, in everything that influenced the audible and the visible, I saw one great reason that really mattered above all that have happened.

And the search came to an end. I found my answer.

I have learned the pursuit that returns me back to the motivation and answers the question why it will be a pleasure again for me to serve at this coming conference.

It is that every person in the duration of their lives should always long and live to be in communion with God.

For there is nothing more important in our lives from that and seek the meaning of it on something else.

Apart from Him, we are really, really nothing. But as we have Him, we have everything.

And from that, I've discovered something more.

In that pursuit, we became an answer, to be a demonstration, whether being seen by people or doing the work behind the scenes, to let that purpose come into transpiration.

Being surrounded with a cloud of witnesses, as carriers of what we have received from God manifested in different talents, abilities and capacities, we initiated ourselves to be vessels, to impart our lives that describes a life of having communion with God. Having that said, we ourselves became a living testimony of it.

It all points out on that single reason.

It's not only about making the conference to be felt down there.

It's not because it's an event that's expected to happen again up here.

It's about making Jesus and His presence to be felt, to instill to His church the awareness of His presence that will never be lost as it is being pursued always.

And from that experience will be birthed out this longing and desire to live with God and stand for God at all times. And let His divine plan have its work in their lives.

And as I relate that pursuit on the things that I have responded down there and the assignment that I'll be doing up here, it will be a joy for me to be a willing servant to do what I can do by the grace of God, and give help and support to let that pursuit come to pass as I play my part.

Sometimes, it's a good thing for us to go back at the point prior to why we do things.

For it reminds you of the purpose that deserves of your passion.

It gives you the right motivation and let that pursuit come into manifestation.

I was in the verge of forgetting it but thank God that His Spirit brings unto my remembrance the things that I should remember to have the right motive and the right heart. This has reminded me of something that really matters. More than that, it has delivered me from the tune of familiarity.

History is mostly written through the eyes of its witnesses. And this written account, is a history indeed, for it will always remind me of God's provision, strength, grace, and favor that He has given to me personally, and to my leaders and co-volunteers when we were down there and He'll be giving to all the people who will have their part as it will be happening up here in a few days.

Let me wrap this up with a question.

"What is your pursuit?"


-------------------


To God be the glory!

Au revoir.

#LifeConMindanao2015
#LifeConManila2015

-------------------

P.S. 

Create unto me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. :)

Beautiful Exchange.

Yes. This event had pleased the creator of heaven and earth.

The exchange wasn't just beautiful. It was actually divine.
Divine for there was a substitution that happened, not by chance, but by choice.

So that by the Son's effort, being driven by His unconditional love, the sin that caused separation could be removed and restore again an everlasting connection, a position where this creator, our God, has intended us to be.



Before facing the cross.

He obeyed the heaven's will to redeem us from our stubbornness.
He clothed himself with humility that we may live without pride.
He lowered himself down that He may lift us up.
He conquered fear that we may have courage.
He was emptied that we may be full.


While being nailed at the cross.

He was broken that we may become whole.
He was rejected so that we can be accepted.
He was despised that we may have our worth.
He received the punishment for our acquittal.
His payment for our penalty.
He endured pain for our relief.

He took our sickness to render us healing.

He experienced poverty so we might become rich.

And after He overcame the grave.

He has removed our defeat by His victory.

He has given His salvation for our damnation.

Through His word, He removed our uncertainties by giving us His assurance.

Granting us His success for our failures.

His death that we may savor not only life, but a good life.

He has redeemed our future with His past.

He labored it once and for all.

A once and for all effort so we can now live by grace.

And that grace ended an endless exhaustion of impressing God.

That we might not beg anymore of what we need in this life because Jesus has given it all.

Not only that.

Grace has also made an avenue. It opened an access.

What Jesus has exchanged for us describes the ultimate description of the glory of God that is available again to His people as the veil was torn.

An in order to receive the benefits of what Jesus has given, there's no other way but to trade ourselves to Him, the lover of our souls.

Because by saying Yes to Him, it will always please the Father.

That moment will never be just that beautiful. God will always remember it always as divine.

Divine, because of the result of the exchange, a substitution will be transpired, not by chance, but by your choice.

As you decide to walk in the Son's finished work, you can walk freely by God's grace. 



(4/6/2015)

Ang Huling Pagpasan

Nanawagan ako para sa hustisya.

Kanino ko ibabaling ang sisi?
Sa init ng araw?
Sa dami ng tao?
Sa tagal ng pag-andar?

Hindi naman siguro magiging katanggap-tanggap kung sa ganitong mga anggulo ko isisi.
Sa dedikasyon niya sa panata?
Sa kanyang katapatan?
Sa tindi ng pananampalataya niya?

Paano mabibigyang katarungan ang kanyang pagkamatay?
Sinong dapat managot?

Ang mga tao?
Na mas nakatuon ang atensyon na mahawakan ang poon kesa asikasuhin ang kalagayan niya?

Ang tradisyon?
Dahil sa pinagaling siya sa sakit kaya naman naging bahagi siya nito ulit?

Siya?
Na dahil sa kanyang kasigasigan ay di na inisip ang sarili na sa kasamaang-palad ay humantong sa pagkakakitil ng kanyang hininga?

Ang kanyang sariling desisyon?
Na dulot ng marubdob na paniniwala'y sinawing-palad at pumanaw na lang ng ganoon?

At lalo ko pang ikinababahala ay ang kanyang pinaroonan matapos siyang magcheck-out bigla sa mundong ibabaw.

Saan kaya siya napunta?
Sa langit kaya o sa impiyerno?
Iyan kasi ang nakasaad sa Bibliyang binabasa ko at binabasa din ng mga katoliko na pupuntahan lang ng tao.

Kasi kung may isang-daang porsiyentong makapagtitiyak sa akin na maganda ang kinalalagyan niya ngayon (batay sa pamantayang isinasaad sa Banal na Kasulatan [o Bibliya]), dito pa lang, tapos na ang usapang ito.

Kaso sa aking pagsasaliksik (kasabay ng pag-andar ng andas hanggang sa maipasok ang poon sa simbahan) ay wala akong makita, kaya nag-aagam-agam ako para sa kaligtasan ng kanyang kaluluwa.




Oo, mga kaibigan. Naghihinay-hinay ako kasi ayoko lumitaw na parang may pinapasaringan.
Uunahan ko na kayo. Wala po akong intensyong kumondena ng anumang paniniwala at nirerespeto ko ang anumang pinaniniwalaan ng bawat indibidwal.




Imulat lang sana natin ang ating mga mata. Buksan ang ating mga Bibliya. Unawain natin ang sinasabi ng Diyos sa atin at ano ba ang tama at dapat nating gawin upang makalapit tayo sa kanya. Para masuportahan iyan, sinasabi sa Juan 14:6,

"Ako (si Jesus) ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makakapunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko."

Papasimplehin ko na.
Rektahang paglapit sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Panginoong Hesus. Na hindi nanatiling pinapasan ang krus. Kundi isang personang buhay at napagtagumpayan ang lahat. At nais mamalagi sa atin kung siya'y tatanggapin.


Hindi ko alam kung ano ang istorya ng buhay niya.
Naghahanap lang ako ng hustisya para sa kanya at sa paniniwalang nagpalagot sa buhay niya.
At di malayo na susundan iyon ng mga iniwan niya.


Nakasaad din sa banal na aklat na sa pamamagitan ng kanyang biyaya (grasya), tayo ay naligtas, at di sa ating mga sariling gawa, upang walang sinumang maaring magmataas.

Hindi ko pinapatamaan ang mga taong nakiisa at sumama sa buwis-buhay na tradisyong bahagi ng papanampalataya ng relihiyong kinamulatan ng bayang ito. Ito kasi ang paraan ng pag-uugnay ng kanilang mga sarili sa diyos na pinaniniwalaan nila.

Para sa ikababatid ng makakabasa, isa ang tatay ko sa mga debotong sumasali sa prusisyong iyon taon-taon. Noon yun. Buti na lamang at siya'y inabot ng Diyos sa kanyang kalagayan, nabuksan ang kanyang mga mata, at nasumpungan ang liwanag.

Napapaisip lang ako.
Kung wala sa mga ito ang dapat managot, sino ang maaring sumagot?

Kasi kung wala, lilitaw siyang isang biktima.

Ang lahat ng bagay ay may dahilan. Ang kanyang pagkamatay ay may dahilan.
Isa na riyan ang dahilan para makapanghikayat ako sa henerasyong ito na magbasa-basa din ng Bibliya pag may time.

At masasabi ko mula sa isang patas at mapagpakumbabang pag-aanalisa na may hindi tama sa dahilan ng kanyang pagkawala. At kung anuman ang dahilang iyon, kayo na ang humusga.
Wala kasi ako sa posisyong gawin iyon.

Ibinibigay ko na ang paghatol sa henerasyong ito na kakunti lang ang nagbabasa.

At ikaw na mapalad na bumabasa nito, masumpungan mo kahit papaano ang tunay na katotohanan para makapag-analisa din, magbigay-kaliwanagan, at makapagpalaya sa iyo.




At kung naunawaan mo ang nais kong iparating sa likod ng mga pangungusap na ito sa paglipas ng panahon, sa Diyos ang papuri.

Iyon ang hudyat na dininig na ng mahabaging langit ang panawagan kong mabigyan ang nag-iisang namatay ng katarungan.




------------------------
Para sa malaman ang kabuuang istorya, bisitahin niyo ang link na ito:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/401043/news/metromanila/devotee-escorting-nazarene-image-dies-during-procession

Behind the Steering Wheel.

And at that moment, there was this silence.

The silence that overpowered the music that's playing inside the van. The silence that made my ears pause from its audibility that even the hum of a revved-up engine became unnoticeable. The silence that made my friends nap for a while that morning to endure the almost 89-kilometer part of that roadtrip.

And what fascinates me at the same time is, I try to see myself to observe what I'm doing at that particular moment and the thoughts that occupied my mind (as if I became separated from my body and watched myself from a close distance).

It was a silence that made my inmost being to be quiet, not because I wanted to, but was given, taken for I am expecting that I can get something in that state of reticence. And my expectation made an avenue for its manifestation.

I became speechless.

As my eyes have acknowledged its focus from the road that I'm looking at to the skies that I see above and the luscious green fields that I see in the side. My eyes have recognized a scene which turned out to be a picture in me. It was a picture that speaks of the reality that I realized that I must enter in this season of my life. A picture that speaks of the vastness of opportunities this life can offer. A picture that also expresses the wideness of thoughts that God has prepared for me. A scene that also tells that the road is laid out for me. A picture that conveys a message.

That the great things that I will be experiencing in this life are not behind of me but are in front of me.

And from that picture, it stirred up an affirmation inside of me.



I will press on.
Not only for the sake of just moving along but also for
the purpose of living this life for a greater cause that in
its extravagance had made me pause.
That is to know even better the Great Person behind
why the things that I've seen at that scene were created.

I have a long way to go. Yes.
But the fact that I am running on the right way and guided
by the right directions makes me assured that I am moving
forward towards my destination.

I will enjoy the journey.
Not only to fight the boredom that it inevitably brings but
because of the awareness that every moment in every travel
is meaningful and significant. Therefore, I don't have to be in a hurry.

I will never lose sight of what's in front of me.
Not only for the sake of its necessity but for the reason of destiny
which has been arranged beforehand and therefore I must align
myself and see myself going towards that direction and never
get off-tracked.

I will take this trip wisely. Not recklessly.
For it will not only save up my time and energy but protect me
as well from any move that can put me into jeopardy and end up
like that car accident that I saw as we are pacing along the way.

Oh, let Your presence go with me.
For it will be the sustenance of my soul to continually walk in
this demanding standards of life.
For there will be times that I have to maneuver it alone and
you will be my strength to withstand that I may neither slumber
nor sleep.
Not by my might, nor by my power, but by Your Spirit.
I will never be alone knowing that you will always be at my side.

I wish I've captured the scene that I saw with the camera that I borrowed but opportunity didn't gave me a chance. I guess it was destined to be so, for it is good for now that it will just be printed first in the deepest thoughts of my memory.

Who knows? Maybe someone can make that invisible image become a visible picture for me someday. Well, I entrust that to the fate that has this trip that's more powerful than me.

I personally enjoyed the privilege to drive the vehicle that day.

(Because I enjoyed a whole day sleep after that as I went back home).

It was an honor to sit in the front especially at the driver's seat. A humble seat which paved the way to see in advance the beauty of life that's waiting for me as it is revealed by the Maker of that beautiful scene that I saw.

As we are nearly approaching to the exit point, I saw the toll gate ahead. The van started to decelerate as I relieved my feet from tapping on the accelerator pedal. I have recognized the fact why doing it was necessary.

I have to pay.

And as I've shifted the gear knob from 5th gear to neutral and slowly tapped on the brakes,

the moment of silence quickly disappeared.

"Magkaiba Talaga."

Ang lahat ng bagay ay may dahilan. At masasabi kong ang usapang naganap nang araw na iyon at ang mga bagay na kanyang ibinahagi* ay nangyari para bigyang dahilan na makapagsulat akong muli. At sa kagustuhan kong maiparating ito sa pinaka-simple at (hangga't maari'y) pinaka-malinaw na paraan, papatunayan muli ng perspektibong ito ang di mapapasubalingang katotohanan ng kasabihang ito na iaangkop ko sa Salita ng Diyos. At iiwan ko na sa mga mambabasa kung naisakatuparan ko ba ang layuning ito o hindi.

Pag sinabing tinitignan, nagpapahiwatig ito ng mabilis na pagtingin, pagsulyap, o pagtanaw. At nagaganap ito ng mabilisan, anu't ano pa man ang dahilan, upang mabigyan ng panandaliang kasagutan ang mga katanungan ng sitwasyong kinabibilangan sa ating isipan.

Sa aking pag-aanalisa, nauuwi sa dalawang dahilan kung bakit ginagawa natin ito (sadya man o hindi namamalayan). Ito'y upang malaman ang katiyakan ng isang bagay at upang mamalayan natin ang mga bagay at buhay (partikular sa tao) na may kaugnayan sa atin. Ang anumang tinitignan ng ating pisikal na mata ay pinoproseso ng ating isipan na siyang umuukit ng ating mga nauunanawaan.

Ang buhay nating ito ay punung-puno ng istorya (at hangga't nabubuhay ay madadagdagan pa) at hindi iyon nabuo (at mabubuo) nang hindi natin sinusubukan munang tignan ito, mapasimple man o mapaseryoso.

Ang mundong ito ay sanay na sa pagpapakita ng mga bagay na nais lamang nitong ating tignan. At dahil dito'y nagsisimulang lumitaw ang mga bagay na kumukumbinse sa ating mga saloobin. Ang kaaway ay mas malala pa. 

HIgit pa sa anggulong panlilinlang, kung susuriin pa natin ng maigi ang nangyari sa lumang tipan**, matapos ang usapan sa pagitan ni Eba at ng ahas tungkol sa bunga ng punungkahoy na ipinagbabawal kainin ng Diyos sa kanila ni Adan, nakumbinse ng ahas na matignan pa din ni Eba ang punungkahoy. Hanggang hindi na niya namalayan, siya'y unti-unting nabulid sa bunga na kanyang tinitignan (dahil lumitaw itong maganda sa kanyang paningin at nabuo sa isipan niya na mas mabuti ang maging marunong). At naisakatuparan ang isang tusong layunin. 

Sa maikling panahon, dahil hinayaan ni Eba na maimpluwensiyahan siya ng kanyang tinitignan, naalis sa kanyang paningin ang ipinagbibilin sa kanila ng Diyos, naibaling ang paningin ni Eba sa mga bagay na kanyang matatamo at makukuha para sa sarili. Na nagpalimot din sa kanya na siya'y nilikha na kawangis at kalarawan ng Diyos.

At ginagawa niya pa din ito hanggang ngayon. Ito ang kanyang panimulang atake bago siya makapanlinlang.

Ito ay ang maalis ang ating paningin sa Diyos at ibaling ang ating mga mata na tignan ang ating mga sarili (paniwalain ka sa mga bagay na nakikita ng iyong mata at maituon sa mga bagay na hindi maganda), sa ating mga kahinaan, kakulangan, pagkakamali o pagkakasala. Dahilan upang tayo'y mag-alala, matakot humakbang, magdalawang-isip o mamroblema.

O kaya, sa ating lakas, abilidad, talento, estado, tagumpay, kaalawanan, kahusayan, katalinuhan na kapag di namalayan ay manangan na sa sarili at magsarili. 

Alin man sa dalawang ito ang mapagbalingan, parehas silang nag-uudyok sa tao na bumuo ng mga pananaw na nakabase sa kanilang nakita sa maikling panahon lang.

Ang iyong kahinaan o kalakasan sa buhay ay nararapat lang tignan. Ang kalaban ay matagal nang talunan. Nasa iyo ang desisyon kung paano mo ito titignan. Tignan upang bigyan ka na lamang ng kamalayan at hindi iyong maging batayan upang limitahan o hayaan ang iyong sarili sa mga nais gawin. Pero ito ang ang magpapakita sa iyo  ng mga bagay na dapat mong ayusin, magpabatid sa iyo ng mga bagay na dapat mong ipagapasalamat at pagbutihin pa, o magpahanda sa iyo sa mga bagay na kinakailangan mong panindigan.

Isalamapak natin sa tunay na buhay.

Ang mga bagay na ating tinitignan ay maaring makaimpluwensiya sa ating mga pangarap, layunin, ambisyon, desisyon, at kapalaran.

At hindi patas lumaro ang mundong ito. Kung ganun ang labanan, saan mo itutuon ang iyong mga mata para makahugot ka ng lakas, tibay ng loob para di ka matinag, at pag-asa para ituloy ang buhay?

Mabuti na lang at kahit sa kabila ng lahat ng mga ito, mayroon tayong pwedeng pagtuunan ng ating paningin kahit ano pa man ang ating nakikita.

Kapag sinabing tinititigan, nagpapahiwatig ito ng buong atensyon ng ating paningin. At ginaganap ito ng matagalan, anuman ang maging dahilan, upang mai-rehistro sa isipan ang mga bagay na nais maalala ng pangmatagalan. At hindi ito biglaang nakakalimutan. At kapag nakasanayan, ito'y nagpapanatili at nag-iiwan ng alaalang nakalapat sa ating kamalayan magpakailanman.

Ang anumang tinititigan ng ating paningin ay nagpapalabo sa mga bagay na hindi pansin ng mata (na pinaghalawan ng "pokus" sa kamera) at higit na binibigyan ng importansiya. Ito'y higit na pumapanhik sa kaibuturan ng kaluluwa sapagkat inuunawa iyon ng isipan na iyon ay mahalaga.

Ang pagtitig sa anumang bagay ay ginagawa dahil ito'y ginusto at hindi ipinagpipilitan, ni iniuutos ng sinuman. Hindi mapupukaw ang mata ng mga bagay na lingid sa tinititigan nito dahil ang desisyong ipinasiya sa isipan ang nagtutulak sa buong diwa na tumatanggap ng mga impormasyong nasasagap ng mata ay nakatuon din ng husto dito.

Sinasabi sa Bibliya na "Ituon natin ang mga mata kay Jesus na siyang nagpasimula ay nagpapaging-ganap ng ating pananampalataya."*** Ang "pagtuon" sa kontekstong ito ay maari din nating ipakahulugan bilang "pagtitig" sa kanya.

Pamilyar na tayo sa mga bagay na ating kinamulatan at parating tinitignan sa ating paligid. Ang buong sangkatauhan ay naghahanap ng maaari nilang pagtuunan ng paningin upang maiba sa kadalasang nilang nakikita, lalo na kung ang kanilang tintignan ay paulit-ulit, di kaaya-aya, nagbabago, nakakapagod, o nakakasawa. Ngayon, saan natin maibabaling ang ating paningin para mabigyang kasagutan ang ating mga katanungan, magbigay kaligayahan sa ating kabalisahan, kasapatan sa ating kakulangan, kapakumbabaan sa ating kataasan, katwiran sa ating mga kalikuan?



Buti na lang at may solusyon. (#thankyouLord!) :)

Hindi mawawalan ng kulay at kahulugan ang buhay na ito kung parati tayong nakatuon kay Kristo. Siya lamang kasi ang makapagbubuo ng ating kakulangan. Ang makapagbabago ng ating buhay. Ang makapagtatagpo ng ating pangangailangan. Ang makapagpapaganap ng ating mga kagustuhan (na nakapaloob sa kalooban ng Diyos). Ang makapagbabalik ng mga bagay na nawala. Ang makakapagpababa ng anumang bagay na mataas. Siya lamang kasi ang pwede nating maging inspirasyon para magampanan natin ng matiwasay ang karerang nakalaan sa atin. Dahil ito'y kanya ring ginawa, at tinapos niya ito ng matiwasay sa krus. Sa kanya natin maaring ituon ang ating paningin. At kung may kumuwestiyon dito, may iba pa kayang makahihigit maliban sa kanya? Ewan ko lang.

Kung kaya't ang patuloy na pagtitig natin sa kanya'y nagbibigay dahilan para lubusan pa nating maunawaan kung ano ang kanyang katayuan sa atin at ano ang ating katayuan sa kanya. Habang patuloy ang pagtitig, lalo pa tayong titindig.

Dahilan upang hindi na tayo maimpluwesiyahan ng mga bagay na ating tinitignan, maging problema man ito o sirkumstansya, o kaya ang ating mga sarili.

Pero kadalasan, (ako aminado minsan) natititigan ng marami ang kakulangan ng kanilang sarili at tinitignan na lang ang Diyos. Hindi dapat maging ganoon. Mas masaya ang buhay kung parati nating tinititigan ang Diyos at tintignan na lang natin ang ating mga sarili. Kasi habang tayo'y nakatuon sa kanya, hindi mo siya pagsasawaan, at habang tumatagal ay may mga bagong bagay kang nalalaman at mauunawaan sa kanya.

Habang tayo'y nabubuhay, itakda na natin sa ating mga sarili ang nararapat nating tignan at dapat nating titigan. Bakit? 

Dahil marami pang pupukaw ng ating paningin sa buhay na ito at kinakailangan nating maging matatag sa buhay na ito. At sana'y hindi ang anumang ating tinitignan sa mundong ito kalaunan ay siya nang ating tinititigan.

Bilang pagtatapos, ang perspektibong ito ang siyang nagpaalala sa akin kung saan ko dapat ituon ang aking paningin sa buhay na ito. Dahil alam ko na kapag ito'y aking ginawa, hinding-hindi ko ito pagsisisihan.

Napakaraming mga bagay sa mundong ito ang maaari, posible, at pwede nating tignan. Pero kung titigan ang labanan, maigi nang alam na natin kung kanino ito dapat ilalaan.

Sa kanya lamang natin malalaman ang kasagutan, ang ating halaga, saysay at kabuluhan. At iyon ang makapagbibigay pag-asa sa atin upang tayo ay magpatuloy, magpakatatag, umangat, at magtagumpay. Pero para mapununan parati ang pag-asang iyon, kailangan mo Siyang titigan, wag mo lang tignan.

Marahil, nagkakaroon na kayo ng ideya kung ano ang kasabihang ipapahiwatig ko dito. Ang dalawang bagay na ito ay ginagamitan ng paningin pero kung ano, kanino, at paano mo ito gagamitin ang magtatakda ng mga bagay, hangarin at pag-asang iyong kakailanganin sa buhay pa na ating kakaharapin.

Ayan. Dalangin ko na ito'y maikunsidera niyo ito sa inyong pang-araw-araw na buhay. Mahaba pa ang ating lalakbayin. At marahil, magandang panahon ito upang mapagtuunan na ito ng pansin upang magamit natin ng tama ang ating paningin.

At kapag isinabuhay, dun mo lubos na mapapatunayan na magkaiba talaga..

ang tinitignan sa tintitigan. :)

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*ang usapang iyon ay naganap nung Biyernes ng umaga nang si kuya Leo, ako, at si kuya Daryl ang natira sa lugar na aming pinagkakakinan sa nakaraang outing ng Crossover-Youth volunteers retreat sa Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite. 

[kuya Leo, I give to you the credits]

**Genesis 3:1-6.

***Hebreo 12:2.