#oyimceb14

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.

I was born in a family of devout Catholics. My father died two months after my birth and so I have never seen his face. When I was in Grade 3, my mother also passed away.

Back then, I was clueless since I was the youngest of 5 siblings.  I thought that I needed to stop my schooling. I felt hopeless.

But as always, God’s eyes of grace and hands of caring love were being bountifully flowed for me. A family helped me to school and in return I will be working for them as there ‘school boy’. The family was a devout Catholic as well. At the onset, it was very hard for me to be a ‘schoolboy’ because I was still young then and still wanted to play and was not used to working.

When I graduated from elementary, my sister told me to take a break for high school so that I could take care of her two children. She promised me that she will sponsor me through high school very soon. When I enrolled in high school, I was very happy because I was able to continue my study.

But when I was in my 3rd year, I was forced to stop due financial problems. I need to walk a kilometer to school. However, my passion and dream for study were growing in my heart.

How many times I have been down by trials but have always stood up to reach my ambitions all because God was there behind me.

One day a man offered me work. The time was to be at night time from 5pm to 11pm. In return, I will be given my school allowance with my meals for free. I happily grabbed the opportunity as long as I can go to school. After my work there at the night, I would walk again going home arriving at around 12 midnight. Then I would wake up early morning at 4 am to cook food for breakfast and to clean the yard before going to school. This was the routine of my life until I graduated in high school.

When my graduation day came, I felt very satisfied, fulfilled, and proud of being a schoolboy. I could remember marching in full happiness that I earned my diploma. Thinking about it today makes me smile since I could remember that all I wore that time were borrowed, the pants, t-shirt, shoes, and others. Being able to graduate with nothing except the Lord filled my heart with the highest joy.

When my guardian told me that he cannot afford to let me continue in college, I decided that I’ll be going home to my older sister. When I was already in my sister’s house, I remembered that my adviser in high school told me that if I cannot continue my schooling in college I would go to her. Because I would never give up on my dream, I went to her house. As I knocked on the door, all of them, her family, were surprised because I brought all my clothes already. Of course, I was shy but realized I had no time for it. This family was devoted Seventh-day Adventists. Because of this family’s devotion to God, I was converted to be a Seventh day Adventist as well.

Before, I thought that I cannot reach my goal. But by the grace of God, I graduated from Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Auto-Diesel Mechanics. I reached all of these because I found God in my life giving me direction.

I feel blest because of God and His leadings. Because of Him, I am now writing this devotional for you. God will never leave me and you. I am very sure! He looks at our circumstances and desires to help us. Let us just accept Him and let Him lead us through. He promised, “For I (the Lord) know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. - Exodus 14:15, KJV.

“Tough times”, as they are called, are as road signs in life. They must be and are just there. A good highway is one with enough of them. Yes, they could be annoying, bothersome and sometimes maddening. But they are there posted to be clearly noticed and read. Day and night, they are all there in eye-catching colors to guide, remind and protect us.

There is a journey that happened in history a few thousand years ago that is worth remembering and learning from. This was the journey of slavery to freedom by a clan called the Israelites.

After a week or two of probably their cheeriest wilderness journey ever, the once-enslaved Israelites were traveling with their first experience of freedom from being slaves in Egypt to being free at last in Canaan. One living today could hardly imagine what it was like for them breathing freedom every second as they made their steps. Born and grown as slaves, freedom was the Israelites’ grandest dream. And as they made their journey of freedom, highest joy, indefinite dreams, and wonderful future all linger on their minds. Wow! They were free at last!

They journeyed on. Along the way they reached a plain and had to take their night rest there. The coming day would be another of those most delightful mornings they ever have had. They had one of their soundest slumbers during that night.

The dark was already half-way bidding farewell giving way to the sun. Yes, it was dawn of a new day and they never expected the shock awaiting them.

In complete and horrible surprise they looked behind them and beheld their nightmares. Their former masters, beaters, punishers, whom they have lived in uppermost fears and unquestioned obedience were before them. It was dreadful. It was a trouble in the highest stretch of man’s imagination.

The soldiers of the most powerful kingdom of that time, Egypt, were chasing the Israelites to bring them back. The Israelites grew as slaves and in fear. They did not know anything about fighting, etc. They were severely outmatched. They were going back as slaves again. They will be punished. Some will be killed. Freedom was just short-lived, it was nothing more than a fantasy.

Imagine their blunt dismay, depression, frustration, upset and soon and so forth. They were crying, weeping, mourning. They could not understand why the Lord had so brought them there just to suffer pain in the maximum order. They complained in despair, “For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness (Exodus 14:12).''

Inquiring from somebody who alone can help them at this severest trouble, God’s answer is one which would reverberate throughout the ages. At that critical stage, God’s response to them meant life and death. In answer God said, “Go forward.” (Exodus 14:15). And as they obeyed and moved on, the Red Sea was divided, none of the Israelites gained a scratch and all the soldiers were drowned! God fought for them!

Surely, tough times are road signs. They serve as our compass and our protector. They are always there, we just need to obey them and they remind us of our need of God. They teach us something. We learn from them. They are for us. Life is life if it has tough times. A thruway is a highway if it is scraggy.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9.

As one of God’s creations in this world, I have the privilege of enjoying His blessings - and my family is the best blessing I could ever consider. I was a simple girl that had a good dream - to study in a christian school in high school and college. However the lack of finances for school fees in a college christian school was the hindrance. Even then, I was thankful for atleast I had the privilege of studying in a christian school in high school. When I was in college, I studied in a public institution. Even then, I still enjoyed so much with my friends. We did team outings, bonding moments and life stories sharing. Those were the happiest time during my college years.

Being an active youth in the church, I am always present in all programs like association meetings, campings, sports fests and federation gatherings. I am learning many things and gaining new experiences. But I don’t know how to utilize my learnings. The lack of confidence, low self-esteem and coyness especially talking to professionals are my weaknesses. However, I believe the Lord knows I have a magnanimous heart in many ways. I know deep within that I am a helpful person, caring and especially loving to those who also love me. For I know that Jesus loves us all too! Above all, He died on the cross because of this beyond-human-understanding love.

Alone in the dark, I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what to do. I am always thinking of my family, questioning if they really care for me. I don’t know why I am always alone, feel alone, and like to be alone. I often tell myself not to waste my time on these questionings and rather to spend my time in finding the answers to my problems. Yes, I have problems, trials, and challenges in life. Like it is very difficult to look for a job given my personality. But I believe with full confidence that when we pray to God and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit He will give us all we need. We just need to talk to Him in prayers.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. – Matthew 28:18-20, KJV.

As a young man or a young woman, what are the things that challenge you the most? Do these challenges create opportunities as well?

I am a young man too. I have been planning and building my career since college. Even after college, I enrolled in a Master’s degree program because I had that desire to succeed.

Yet, in October last year, I was called to be a part of One Year in Mission (OYiM), which is a group of youth leaders with a mindset of mission and service. I was called to represent Central Philippine Union Conference (or the Visayas region) to the OYiM training in Manila. I never knew the outcomes, experiences, challenges, and difficulties that it entails. I just responded to the call.

While in training, I learned that today large numbers of people are flocking into the cities. It is like an exodus of toward the cities of the world. That is the reason why the urban areas today are considered the world’s major mission fields. Mission fields in the sense that many people in these cities need to know and follow Jesus Christ, the Savior.

There are a lot of challenges in the cities. From the booming city population to entertainment centers, from work and career to technology craze, from pleasure places to amusement parks, from hectic schedules to fairs, festivals, and many more. The list is endless. Nonetheless, opportunities still abound. Like connecting to the masses in small groups or large groups through establishing centers of life and health and through friendship groups in the cities. Technology can also be used to reach the “techie” urbanites through the power of social media and the Internet. Young professionals reach out to their friends at work, school, or play. As the challenges increase, opportunities go with it too!

The Lord Jesus Christ challenges us, especially the youth, to go and make disciples of all nations. Wherever we are, we can become disciple-makers to our friends, family members, relatives, neighbors, workmates, schoolmates, and playmates. Let us lead them all to Jesus, our Master.

And now, LORD, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee. – Psalm 39:7.

Alone in an open field of towering green grasses, I looked up to the blue sky; and I saw the passing clouds and the beautiful birds wafting their white wings as they fly up in the air. From a distance, I saw the lovely colorful flowers and the tall trees with their rich foliage banging together as the wind was passing by. As the sound of chirping birds reverberated in the air, I heard silence and peace within my heart which offered me true happiness and joy. How I hope that it will always be forever!

Nonetheless, on the other side, it seemed so difficult to bear; sadness, pain, darkness…

One day, I saw myself in a crowd of people crying at the coffin. Drawing near, I supposed it could have been a friend or a neighbor of mine. Then, I made my way through.

In the saddest most unexpected surprise, I stood confounded at the scene I never wanted to behold. Lifeless, I saw my dear mother in the coffin. I saw her without sense and without breath. The once lovely loving face is now helpless and powerless.

My heart beat faster. I could no longer see my mother’s face which has made my life since I opened my eyes! I could no longer greet her ‘good morning’ as I open my eyes waking up  and ‘good night’ before I sleep to bed. I remember those times… I could no longer kiss and hug her. I could no longer hear her voice of counsels. I could no longer lean on her in times of my worries, problems and weaknesses.

My mother means a lot to me. She is so precious to me. It grieved my heart totally.

However, the lost of my mother did not make my life lifeless and destroyed. It gave me a new hope, a new direction, a new celebration of reunion to look forward to - the Resurrection Day! It made me go on stronger with life and its own challenges for me.

The Scripture says, “The dead in Christ shall rise when He comes in the clouds of glory.” This promise keeps my heart beating. Even if it takes a long (indefinite) time for me to wait, I will patiently wait for it! This hope burns within me every day!

For a fact, my experience is no different from others. Everybody treads the same road.

If we lost something or somebody so precious to us - career, position, loved one, etc. - it is just meant to remind us of that hope bed-rocked in God’s promises. Hope is the very reason why I am going, going head-on! Yes, it could be the same with you!!