Contentment

What does it mean to you when I say the word “contentment”? Does it mean being able to have what you desire or to have all your plans and dreams fulfilled? If I were to actually look at the dictionary to find the meaning of contentment it would be described as, “happiness with one’s situation in life”. But can someone really find true happiness in his or her situation in life? Uhm… I think the answer to that would depend on the person I’d be asking it to, wouldn’t it? Yah, it would and I’d probably get a bunch of answers to that like, “If _ would be my girlfriend/boyfriend I would be content” or “If I had a million dollars I’d be content” or “If I’d get a good job” and so on. If we would continue to have answers like this, wouldn’t we be putting a limit to contentment as an “earthly basis” and for sure most of these answers may not come true to all of us or if they would, it probably doesn’t end up giving the person contentment at all but probably make him or her crave for more.

What about if I put you in a situation where you work hard for a living yet never get promoted, give a lot but never receive anything, have so much love to the world yet don’t get any love in return, would you be content with what you have?? I bet the answer you have on your mind is “no”. Even I would have that answer in the back of my mind. (hehehe) But you know what, in the situation like that we can still answer “yes”… if, we learn not to have any EXPECTATIONS. No expectations in life means giving your best even if you don’t expect anything in return, helping someone not expecting to be recognized for it, giving and not expecting to receive anything back, and loving even if it isn’t reciprocated. Contentment is “accepting”, accepting what God puts us through, whether easy-going or bumpy as ever. Even if we are not happy with our situation in life, we can still be content by learning to accept what the Lord has in stored for us. Accepting that His mighty plans for our life is greater than anything that we “expect” it to be in our minds. A person can never truly have happiness in his or her situation in life if it would not be centered on Jesus because it is only through Him that we can truly find the greatest satisfaction, a satisfaction that only He can fill that can truly give us contentment.

It says in Philippians 4:10 and I quote, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Insecure

Hey there… I’m back again. It’s been quite a while since I last wrote; I guess I could say uhm “I was busy?!” (lol!). What a lame excuse but yah, I’ve been busy on a “project” nothing from school though, I’m done with that, it’s something else… something that me and my bf could exhaust or time and individual creativity which I somewhat think that the “world” would soon benefit?! hehehe…

But anyhow, I’ve got other issues and other things to talk about. And the “ISSUE” that I’m referring to right now is something that I think everybody goes through, which is why I’ve decided to talk more about it in this blog.

Have you ever felt insecure? I mean, of somebody close to you or someone that seemed totally out of your league? (actress or actor, singer, model, athlete, etc.) I bet there’s no denying it that the answer is “YES”, come on be honest with yourself! No matter how physically beautiful, smart or wealthy you may be, there will always be that “insecurity” that you struggle with inside you. This is true to me for I’m not physically gifted as well which is why I also battle with my own insecurity. But never-the-less, every struggle that we face, there’s always a reason, and each reason may not always be easy to understand yet in God’s eyes that reason is something that would prosper, strengthen, encourage, and make us the person that He wants us to be.

Are you familiar with NICK VUJICIC? Well, if you’re not, he’s one of the most inspiring people that I know. Not just because he’s a motivational speaker who loves to reach out to people around the world but because of his amazing and unfailing love for Jesus despite having no arms and legs! Yes, no limbs at birth, yet even with such disability this doesn’t hinder him to fulfill his dreams and goals in life because as the saying goes, “the limits we have on ourselves are the limits we put on GOD.” Philippians 4:13 says and I quote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is a powerful verse and is actually my motto verse that I live by, which is true to all of us! Despite how imperfect we are, each of us has our own purpose in life and though it may be difficult to understand why things happen the way they do, we must learn not to lean on our own understanding but on God’s understanding and that the things He allowed to happen in our lives where for His purpose so that His works can be revealed to us. Romans 8:28 says and I quote, “And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him.” You see, God is a loving God, and He wouldn’t allow just anything to happen to us. God has His reasons and His right timing, all we need to do is just trust Him because He knows what’s best.

So before we think lowly of ourselves because we compare ourselves to those that the world think are more beautiful, more wealthy, “complete” physically, talented academically or intellectually, we should take a look at NICK VUJICIC who had less than us, but was made “COMPLETE” in Christ because of his trust, hope and perseverance that put no limits on him despite his weaknesses. Remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 and I quote, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

So take your weakness or insecurity and make it your strength; a strength that will preserver in your Father and rely on His understanding and let you see the beauty of His work in you.

HUNGRY

I woke up today late again, as usual! I try my best to go to church early, but I seem to have a hard time because I usually sleep late the night before, but that shouldn't be an excuse, I know, I'd just have to sleep early next time. But never-the-less me & Harry made it on time to have an awesome song of worship before the word began, and may I say, the song we sang hasn't faded from both of our minds until now...grabe ning LSS oi.hehehe...

Bitaw, to tell you honestly, I love going to church, I love hearing God's word and how it hits me like a bow-an-arrow every time I am rebuked for the wrong things that I've done and how much sin I have caused the Lord to grieve. But this is something good of course, because without hearing God's word that is intelligently interpreted by our pastor through the Holy Spirit, I wouldn't be the changed person in Christ as I am today.

So, the passage we had today was taken from the book of Luke chapter 19:1-10. If you remember, this was the story of "Zacchaeus", the short guy who climbed up on a sycamore-tree wanting to see Jesus?! There's a Sunday school song about him actually but I can't quite remember the lyrics to it.hehehe Anyhow, it was a common passage yet had a lot of things to say about US and how are RELATIONSHIP is with Jesus. What I learned about the passage was that the story was basically about "a searching sinner", a "seeking Savior" and the wonderful gift of "salvation" that God has give to us.

Zacchaeus, was actually representing us, not in the sense that we are short "physically" but short SPIRITUALLY because we're all sinners and we all fall short in the glory of God.

Being a short man as Zacchaeus was, he was also a wealthy man, a chief tax collector in Jericho if I may add who probably had stolen a lot of money from a lot of people during that time..."tax collector" gud, dili nata matingala... and for sure he must have been hated by a multitude of people. Yet despite how short he was physically and SPIRITUALLY, there was a WANTING inside of him to see who Jesus was and he didn't allow anything to stop him. And since Jesus was passing by with a crowd amongst him he wasn't able to see, so that's how he got on the sycamore-fig tree...as our pastor said, and I quote "he was very resourceful". hehe But anyway, to make the long story short, Jesus went to him and told him to come down and they ate at his. Our Pastor said that inviting himself to eat at someone else's house wasn't a usual thing that Jesus did, yet in this passage He did (Luke 19:5). And in the end of the passage, after Zacchaeus confessed how sinful he was and how he would give back to those he sinned against, he was saved! (you can read the Bible to know the whole story if you want)

After hearing the word, it really gave me a realization on how HUNGRY I am for the Lord. Like our pastor said, time with JESUS isn't about time-management but our passion to be with Him and how Hungry we are to seek him and have quiet time for Him and His word. Petty things shouldn't stop us from our First LOVE because if GOD came down from HEAVEN to be persecuted by man and HUNG on the Cross for His LOVE for us, then what is a petty thing that can stop us from being with JESUS?! it's nothing and is no excuse at all. And the thought of everything really pierced my heart because I love JESUS and I haven't been showing it much to HIM at all.

At this point, I look back on where I am now and take priority on what is important in my life... I pray that I'd have the WANTING like Zacchaeus, not letting anyone or anything get in the way of SEEing Jesus and I also hope that all who read this would also learn that JESUS is always here for us 24/7, LOVING us the same way HE did when he died on the cross and ROSE again for us almost 2000 years ago....

I pray that nations would "crave" for Him more & more, for what He's done for us could never be repaid by our own hands. So what greater love we can give but to SEEK HIM, HAVE TIME FOR HIM and PASSIONATELY WORSHIP HIM with all our heart despite all oppression by men.

Risks

In love, every girl or guy takes the risk of having a broken heart. This is the ordeal that we go through for trying to find true happiness in the arms of someone else. But does taking the risk have to be so painful? Or can it pass us by without leaving a scar?! I guess the answer lies within the person taking that risk...

For me, taking the risk of having a broken heart is a very courageous thing to do, not everybody can be so bold (I'm talking to both "men" and "women" out there). Loving is putting ourselves to the vulnerability of emotional pain which we'd never felt before and once a person has spoken his or her true feelings to the person he or she loves.. There will always be this doubt if the other would truly feel the same way. I believe that risks in love are mere challenges, but not of course to the extent of risking our whole dignity just to gain the love of another. What I'm trying to say is taking the risk of saying "I love you" and "I love you in return" is the most honest and courageous thing a man and a woman could say to each other. It's not just words spoken, but an act of loyalty, respect and trust which the LORD has allowed us to experience so that we would truly understand what it means to LOVE just the way HE loves us.

So remember, risks in love shouldn't be something to be afraid of, because without taking that risk, it would be like letting go of a precious gift which GOD has given to us. So don't be scared and build confidence in yourself for our GOD writes our love story in the palm of His hands and it's all up to us to take that next great step...