masquerade; paper faces on parade

Monday, January 22, 2007
“A good start: Face your Destiny”

Last week, I was contemplating whether to go on and attend the midweek service or not because I have been diagnosed with viral exanthem. (urgh! rashes all over my face, arms and thighs!) I went to school last Monday and was shocked to see my face in the mirror!(parang bungang araw na tinubuan ng mukha) I thought I was allergic to my powder or something but I soon discovered the same cutaneous manifestations on other parts of my body. I was advised not to go to school because the dermatologist told me I was contagious and wrote out an excuse letter and medical certificate for me. If this was high school or even pre-med, I would have been delighted at the very thought of having a good excuse to stay at home, but being the medical student that I am (third year at that), it’s worse to be absent on a busy exam filled week. Although I didn’t experience any other symptoms, I prayed to the Lord because I have already set my mind to go to school and attend the midweek service last Wednesday. Truly, He is so good and even though I could still palpate some lymph nodes, I was rash free on that day!
Like a true warrior, I again set out my lonely journey (I was again without any companion for that night ) for the midweek service but I wasn’t disappointed because I was blessed with the service that night! The preaching was entitled "Face Your Destiny: The Power of Goal Setting" by Bro. Al Ian Barcelona. I think this is a good way to start the new year and I compliment Bro. Ian for such an inspiring talk. (He’s realy good) According to him, we got the best destiny! You want to know why? Because God has wonderful plans for us. It’s true. I have to say one of my favorite passages from the bible : (Jeremiah 29:11) " For I know the pans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good, to give you a future and a hope". This is the Lord’s words speaking to us and we have to believe it!
He quoted Psalm 90:12 : "So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart" . The Lord teaches us to balance our lives: our family, studies, friends, work, and other areas of our lives. "…Teach us to count our days": it means time…and time is the greatest equalizer next to opportunity according to him. Sometimes we have too many things going in our lives. We are so busy with one thing that other parts of our lives are suffering. I remember the movie "The Devil Wears Prada", Nigel told Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) that when you start having problems with your personal life, it means you’re doing great with your job. In this crazy busy world, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with everything. He emphasized that we need to plan our lives and pray "that we may gain a wise heart": apply wisdom!
He brought up 4 fundamental questions that we should all think about: 1) What do I really want? 2) What will it cost me? 3) What am I willing to pay? 4) When will I start paying the price? At this point in our lives, do we really know what we want? I received this quote from a friend "always remember that the longer you stay with the things you don’t really enjoy equates to every moment you lose with what could be a happy life"….and it’s true.
My friend in medicine who is one of the brightest people I know just recently quit in the middle of third year. She wasn’t having problems academically. In fact, as I’ve said, she’s a good student. We were all surprised at her decision and I know that everybody was wondering why she would quit at this time and thinking about all the hardships we went through from first year and all the time, money and energy spent on it…sayang naman. She answered all our questions through an email and you know what? I am happy that she realized what she really wants to do in her life and admire her for having the courage to pursue it which most of us don’t have. And so my friend answered the remaining questions already at this point in her life. It cost her much but she was willing to pay the price. And right now, she is happier doing what she really wants….writing. I am so proud of her because in the short time that she was out of medicine, she got an article published at the Inquirer Young Blood, and is currently living out her dreams…writing her heart out, and then going on to take up a masters degree on English next school year. And so I take back what I’ve said, walang nasayang. If it took all those experiences and years for her to realize what she want in her life, then it’s all worth it.
We need to step up. We need to give in order to grow up. Bro Barcelona said, "In life you either repair or prepare. We experience either consequences or benefits". Do we spend most of our lives just repairing what we have done in the past? He stressed the importance of planning. These are the specific areas for planning according to him: 1) personal 2) spiritual 3) family 4) studies/ career/ business 5) ministry/ social involvement. Our personal life should not be our only focus nor is our career only. There must be a balance and we must have a vision of what we want to happen so that we could have some sort of direction in our lives.
He mentioned of the FAITH GOALS which stands for F- focus, A- attitude, I-initiative, T-trust, H- holistic. G- God centered, O-obedience, A-affirmation, L- lead yourself, S-sacrifice. In thinking about the FAITH GOALS, we must bear in mind Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
F- focus : What are our priorities in our lives? What do we want? We must focus on what is important…on what we really want. We could be doing everything but still be unhappy.
A- attitude: (The way you respond). We must have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Success depends on how you respond to the things that has come our way.
I- initiative… No one will do it for you except YOU of course. We must tell ourselves " I will do the plans that God has for me!" We must always exert extra effort and take action. Don’t wait for someone to do the first step for you.
T-trust. Be confident! Christianity is more than emotionalism. We must build our self-esteem. The Gospel is the power to salvation and we represent the gospel. Other people must see it in us. God is calling us to be the best we can be.
H- holistic. God is concerned with your life and in every aspect of it.
G-God centered. Make God the center of all things we do. When we center our lives in Him, we can never be lost. Daniel 11:32 "He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant; but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."
O- Obedience. We must have the obedience to do what is right.
A- affirmation. Affirmative thoughts are 100% better than negative thoughts. Learn to say I WILL!!! At the start of the day, let’s learn to say things like "I will pass our exams today!", or "I will overcome my financial problems!".
L- lead yourself. We should not spend time noticing other people’s weakness or faults but let’s look at ourselves first.
S- Sacrifice. Unless you’re willing to sacrifice, you’re not going to achieve what you want.
DO: Determination + Obedience
BE: Believe + Excel
START DOING!!!
We are encouraged to overcome ….then in becoming we grow.
He shared what Bro Anthony Pangilinan told them in a seminar: THE ABF X 3
ABF1: Accept the Brutal Facts: The world is ugly, it is full of uncertainties, filled with poverty, problems…and so much more. But we must learn to accept it. We cannot be blind to the things around us. We should acknowledge reality and what is truly happening around us. The first step towards anything is acceptance.
ABF2: Act with Bold Faith: this is what he called courageous obedience.
ABF3: Anticipate Brighter Future: If we read the bible, we would realize the great things that God has promised us. And I believe He wants the best for us and so we must hold on to his promises! Great things are in store for us.
And in closing he told us that God is a man of details. When we ask Him to do something for us. Be specific. He is our father...just converse with him and don't be afraid to tell him what's in your heart.
Ephesians 3: 20. "Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think".
Nothing is impossible with God.
Only we set limits in our minds.
God bless =)
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