When the Sun Stood Still

I can still remember the times when I "go" alone in many places. It used to be so weird of me to just go, whenever I hear the Lord telling me to go. I am just a tiny woman and most of the time, I carry huge pieces of luggage, and find kids. God's patterns for me gradually unfolded, and these were picturesque of kids, longing for faith, hope, and love...

When I went to Leyte alone some years ago, finding my way to the typhoon Haiyan victims, I was so blessed that the Lord has provided a team to work with me from the time I stepped on that land. I can still remember them today. I am just so thankful for their lives. I have faith that the Lord has been putting them in higher places now, administering fruitful ministries.

The thing that has struck me most that time was my 6-hour "God moment". I was a chance passenger for a ferry from Hilongos to Cebu and by the time I came to the port, I realized I had to wait for 6 hours for me to take off to the other Island. Again, I was alone. In that 6 long hours, I was recurrently asking the Lord out of tiredness from all the toil in the previous ministry. I asked Him, "why am I alone? what am I doing here? Did You really call me to do these things? " and all these funny yet valid questions aroused my longing soul, as I was just crying my heart out to Him before the heavens, the sea and all the rats under my feet.

In my despair, I was embraced by His grace and love as He has given me this beautiful answer when the sun started to set that time..

"Can't you see my daughter, you are not alone... I am with You all along.."

And tears poured out.. Truly I am called, I am loved, I am not alone... even up to this day!

I love you my faithful Lord Jesus!

I remember  when God has let the sun to "stand still" during the battle of Joshua against the enemies.."  which in Hebrew also translates to Greek root words, "when the Son stood still on the cross"....  I believe, this is the Lord, standing still as I fight my battles too. I am not alone in these battles as myself and my God are in these together.. so are you and Him..

For whatever it is that is keeping you from moving forward, I tell you:

Don't stop, take courage, press on!

The Lord is with you, as you remain in Him!

"Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hastened to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded a voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (Joshua 10:12-14)."

When faith is gone....

Does looking up.......

relieve you.........
or confuse you...........
and then later on.... you will ask.........

WHERE IS GOD?

You might have often asked this eh?

Thank God coz it is your question instead of:

IS THERE A GOD?

God is everywhere, and we just have to be open about this truth.

Stop struggling, stop living... Deny yourself

and surrender your soul to Him.

When I was about to finish college, I was 18 then, i stopped hearing the mass. Why? I just realized one time that doing so does not complete me. I am not happy at all. This is especially true when I assess other people’s intentions in attending mass. Moreover, I have not seen great changes in people who are of perfect attendance. When the mass can’t do something great in their lives, then why should I continue getting along with them? This was my struggle before

Being part of a generation where people demand for proofs before believing, I myself have been investigative as well. I never knew I have undergone faith crisis. The momentum in such struggle has gone worse when my mom died. I thought, God was never there to bless my life. He didn’t answer my prayers to save my mom from sickness.

Years have gone and I was focused on earthly concerns. Work, family, personal necessities and stuff like that. No time for God, whom I thought has forsaken me. Nonetheless, He still had mercy on me. He has drawn me back to Him even though my life was a complete mess in the midst of individualism and materialism.

Thank God for the life of my workmate/friend Ailene whom God used to evangelize me. I have known God in a deeper perspective. I have loved Him like I have never loved before. He is my life. Indeed, Jesus is not about living.. He is about dying. Denying one’s self is the perfect strategy to achieve completeness.

There is a challenge for each and every person, which is to develop a true and strong relationship with God. However, with logical people who always demand for proof or scientific bases before believing, struggle in faith becomes inevitable. What shall we do to get through this? Remember that, not everything in life requires scientific proof.

Let us start believing without bargaining with God. God is not a business contractor! We must not ask him to do such and such before we believe. Remember that FAITH IS A GIFT from GOD not the other way around. Most of the times indeed, we have a lot of conditions before trusting Him. “God, do these and that and I’ll believe..” If He won’t come across with what we ask for, we’re going to doubt our faith.

When my mom died and when I became so logical with other’s religion, I seemed to doubt my faith. I’ve almost agreed with an atheist friend, who was so rational and intelligent when it comes to analyzing religions. But then I realized that faith is a gift from God, and I should not try hard in figuring out reasons for believing. Even so, I stopped bargaining traps so that I will find the real route to achieving true faith. And so, I have faith in God that my atheist friend will soon receive the same gift that I have attained.

“I believe in God!” , can you repeat that? Just be open and never shut down. Stop analyzing too much because it will block the process. Back off a bit and never think of your indifference as a loss. Faith and trust in God will come to you.