The Agony and Reward of Waiting

I have been in agony these past months waiting for things to happen and things to come. Waiting for the election results would add to the affliction had I not read this verse: "I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His Word do I hope" (Psalm 130:5). 

Waiting is often an unpleasant experience, whether it's waiting to possess that dream house, purchasing a promo fare for an overseas trip, reading the editor's feedback, or receiving a royalty check. In the past, I've been tempted to fret, doubt God, and throw the towel. But God pursues me continually and encourages me not to give up. He also teaches me how to wait.

This verse gives a hint. While waiting, wait expectantly for the best. Wait eagerly. It helps not to dwell on the negative but to think of the positive side. "Expectant" is also a word we use to refer to someone who is "pregnant". Pregnancy normally lasts for nine months. It can't be rushed because the baby in the womb has to go through normal stages of development. That takes time. 

So I accept that there is a necessary waiting period that will eventually lead to the desired results. As I wait, I put my hope in God's Word because God's Word represents His promise which He will fulfill. God will not lie or give false hopes. And God knows how to compensate us for the times we have waited expectantly and relied on Him completely. 

"O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is mercy and loving-kindness, and with Him is plenteous redemption" (Psalm 130:7). 

How Does Your Future Look Like?

My husband turned a year older yesterday. Before his special day was over, he blurted out what seemed to be a profound realization, "In a few years, I will be a senior citizen!" I didn't react as dramatically because I already realized that fact even before he did, or at least before he made his thoughts public. I, too, have been  doing the countdown and I think many of my friends are doing the same. Sometimes, the thought of turning older dampens our spirit. Turning older suggests weaker knees and more wrinkles and white hair. Being a senior citizen could also mean losing our capacity and chance to earn bigger. Right?

Could be, but turning older does not necessarily mean we won't have a good future anymore. It doesn't mean that God hasn't planned for our future or that He would have no more good stuff for us by that time. God has good plans for us in every stage of our lives, whether we are four, fourteen, forty, or even eighty. The Psalmist wrote, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered" (Psalm 40:5). A loving Heavenly Father will never run out of surprises for His children. If we are willing to believe in His loving kindness, we will see the wonderful things He has in store for us in the future. 

Freed from Punishment

Each day, I realize my frailty. One time, I felt uncomfortable after an incident made me realize that I don't know everything. Of course, I don't. No one does. That's something every human being knows, but it's not everyday that you get hit by this truth. I had to admit that although I know some things, there are areas where I needed help. So I asked for help and had someone teach me what to do. 

Yesterday, I discovered a mistake which I made last year. The error was made a long time ago but it affects my current state. I'm not sure if I will still be penalized for that error but this made me think of the many mistakes I've made, the errors I've committed, and my many offenses against God. What if I am punished for all those wrongdoings? If I am not dead yet, maybe I would not even have the heart to go on with life because I'd be stripped of dignity, hope, and strength. 

And indeed, for our many sins, or offenses, against God, we deserve to be punished. Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence*. Sin pays off with death--a spiritual death that means eternal separation from God. And when we are separated from God we are separated forever from His loving kindness and the joy and peace that can only come from Him. 

But the good news is that God reached out to us to forgive all our sins against Him and put us in a right relationship with Him. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with Him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered Him, so that by His blood He should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in Him. God did this in order to demonstrate that He is righteous. In the past He was patient and overlooked people's sins; but in the present time He deals with their sins, in order to demonstrate His righteousness. In this way God shows that He himself is righteous and that He puts right everyone who believes in Jesus**.

God is ready to forgive our sins against Him and is willing to help us correct the mistakes we've committed. At times, if He decides, He will even override our errors. Most of all, God, through His Son Jesus Christ, can give us a new slate, a new beginning. His Son Jesus Christ has been offered already as punishment for our sins and He is waiting for us to ask forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. 

God brought to life together with Christ, having freely forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.***

*Romans 3:23  Good News Translation (GNT)

**Romans 6:24-26  GNT

***Colossians 2:13-14   Amplified Bible

A Life of Learning

This day, March 20, is a memorable day. A few days ago, a high school classmate unearthed our graduation programme and quickly reminded our Facebook group that on this day, 30 years ago, we graduated from high school. By coincidence, on this day also, I spoke at a Moving Up and Recognition Ceremony for kindergarten students. 

Many of us seems elated and at the same time, nostalgic at the thought that it's been 30 years since we received our high school diploma. Back then, I never thought that 30 years later I would be standing on  a stage, not to receive a diploma but to deliver a message to the students being promoted and their  parents. 

After high school graduation, I went to college and received a bachelor's degree. Between then and now, I took a diploma course in pastoral ministry, a certificate in teaching language, attended seminars, workshops, and conferences here and abroad. I became involved in church ministry, got married, raised a family, and built a freelance career. 

Along the way I recalled some things which I learned from high school. But there were also other things I learned not from high school but from everyday life. I learned from my mistakes and from unlikely people. I came to know God by reading the Bible and became wiser doing what I discovered from the Book. Even up to now, I'm still learning. In fact, just recently, I started taking up online courses. 

The day is about to end. The reminiscing will probably continue until tomorrow or the day after. In this season of graduation, I realized that we may stop going to school, but we never stop learning. 

Blessings of the Weekend

It's weekend again. As I sip my morning coffee, I think of the things I can look forward to this day and tomorrow. It looks like today is going to be a fun day with the family. This afternoon my husband and I will drive to the next town to attend a birthday party, not of our adult peer, but of a seven-year-old kid. I'm not sure if we'll also wear party hats or get our share of loot bags, but that would be an amusing occasion if we could. 

This weekend, I also get to see my daughter again who only comes home on weekends. She studies in another part of the country and our weekday communication is limited to calls and texts (thanks to my unlimited subscription to a cellular network). I hope we could share stories face-to-face again. 

This day also, I finally inquired from an ebook distribution company about the possibility of self-publishing an ebook. I have ideas dancing around my head and I'm taking steps to find out how I can venture into digital publishing. Exciting!

As for tomorrow, I expect it to be a time of intimacy--spiritual intimacy. I heard my pastor is going to share a message on "Loving God from A-Z". I was afraid he might go through the entire alphabet but no, the preview  said he'll talk about what it means to love God with all your mind. I'm not sure if and how much I love God with all my mind, so I'm getting ready to listen.

Weekend, as the name suggests, is the end of the week. It may be a time to complete an unfinished business or it could be a much-needed break from working, but it is also a time of great expectations--a time of looking forward to blissful blessings. What are your weekend blessings?

Cleaning Your Heart

Yesterday, after several days, I finally cleaned our bathroom. It was a gruesome sight. Dirt has filled the spaces between the floor tiles. Grime from dried soap suds and dead skin cells has covered the surface of the wall tiles. And the stinking smell is unbearable. As I scrubbed the nasty crud, I reprimanded myself. I should have cleaned the bathroom every day; in fact, soon after I take a bath each day.

As I was contemplating the tedious task of removing the dirt that has accumulated in this most neglected part of our house, God must have decided this is a good time to remind me of another dirt that could dangerously foul the chamber of my heart. That stubborn dirt works the same way with sin. If you do not confess your sin right away, and let days pass before you confess your wrong doing, you'll have a hard time coping with your guilt. But if you confess your sins to Me, I will keep My promise and do what is right: I will forgive you your sins and purify you from all your wrongdoing.*

The Life Application Study Bible explains, "God has forgiven our sins because of Christ's death...In admitting our sins and receiving Christ's cleansing, we are: 1) agreeing with God that our sin truly is sin and that we are willing to turn from it, 2) ensuring that we don't conceal our sins from Him and consequently from ourselves, and 3) recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on His power to overcome it. 

Starting the new year with a clean slate begins with confessing our sins to God and accepting His forgiveness through Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for our sin. Don't wait another day. God is waiting to clean your heart. 

*Based on 1 John 1:9, Good News Bible

Enduring a Christmas Cold

Only a day after being exposed to someone who has a cold, I now have a running nose and a headache. No one likes catching a cold, though it is to be expected during this freezing December month. But for me, the timing is unfortunate because I have to meet a deadline today. With this cold, can my eyes endure staring at the glaring computer screen while my brain try to squeeze out every creative juice from its cells? 

To get inspiration before I tackle the demands of the day, I turned to my devotional book which was given to me as a Christmas present a few days ago. On top of the page where a bookmark is inserted, I found these words:  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:7). I read the entire chapter four which is the context of the said verse. Though it refers to the Apostle Paul's physical hardships and sacrifices in bringing to people the message of Christ and the cross, I began to see how the verse could be speaking to me about enduring a common cold. As I continue to read, I remembered my two friends whose dear family members are in the hospital right now for life-threatening diseases. Another friend's aging mother has also been in and out of the hospital and their family spent Christmas at the hospital room. 

In all his dangerous encounters and near-death experiences, the Apostle Paul didn't lose hope because he was convinced that God's power was sustaining him so he could fulfill his calling. He even penned these paradoxes for those with colds today and for those who are spending the holidays on their hospital beds or are giving care for their loved ones who are sick: We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that His life may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

Keep yourselves warm and protect yourselves so as not to catch a cold. May I also ask you to say a prayer  for those who are sick and for their caregivers? Most of all, let's thank God for sustaining us these past days, weeks, months, and this whole year which will soon be gone. Praise God for His enabling grace!