Standing in the Light _ Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

“Just step on the cross, po, and the spotlight will be on you,” was the direction given by the stage manager to the awardees as we nervously waited to be called onstage.

Much later I viewed the pictures taken by Sarah from where they sat in the gallery of auditorium of my alma mater. This one picture stood out, and it's implied message struck  me.

People who know me know that I'm not shy, but in that moment I became shy all of a sudden. At that event, I felt undeserving to receive such a prestigious recognition for the work our family was doing. I noticed I didn't even fully step into the spotlight. But then through the picture I learned a powerful lesson. 

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) True enough, Jesus is the true Light. Whatever light I have comes from Him. Because He is my Spotlight, I need to do just one thing -- step in faith on the Cross, and let His Light shine through me.  

Heavenly Father, You have given me the greatest, most awesome gift -- Your Son, Jesus, the Light of the world! Who I am right now all comes from Him, whatever I have done and am able to do is because of Him.  I am humbled by this thought!  Use me and may I always be keenly aware that the source of my light comes from Your Light.

The investment of Kindness_Acts 9:36

The story in Acts 9:32-42 is about a devoted disciple named Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek) who showed kindness to the poor widows, and when she died, the believers urged Peter to come to Joppa.  God then, through Peter, brought her back to life. A great miracle which led to many people to believe in Jesus. Her small acts of kindness, making robes and clothing for the widows, became the seeds from which many more came to know Jesus and be saved.

Small acts of kindness.

Last February 8, 2019, I played a very small part (doing the voice-over) in a huge global event called "Night to Shine" sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.  In Cebu, it was organized by Quest Fellowship for 90+ teens, and not-so teens, with special needs.  They, with their parents or guardians, were treated like celebrities -- make-up booth, walk down the red carpet with their "buddies" (volunteer dates), sumptuous buffet dinner, karaoke, dancing -- and crowned "kings and queens of the prom". Their happy smiles said it all...and I was reduced to tears. Kindness to these lovely souls made them so happy, yes, but it also made the volunteers so happy.  Kindness given always finds its way back.

Lord, heavenly Father, may opportunities to show small acts of kindness present themselves to me, and may I be always ready to do what You want me to do, even if it's outside my comfort zone.

When boasting is acceptable_1 Corinthians 1:31

I'm blessed with a close friendship with visual artists, Fred Galan and and his wife, Gee.  Em and I are privileged to have been able to buy one of Fred's paintings which now hangs prominently in the lounge area of our office. It is a painting showing people going through their daily chores after a huge fire in their neighbourhood. Fred's paintings characteristically depict the daily lives of the "ordinary folk" -- laborers, farmers, fisherfolk, etc. Well-known and well-respected, their works are displayed in many venues, like hotels and homes. Yet, despite their enormous talent, the couple has remained humble and completely grounded in their faith in Jesus.

Because of this faith, they acknowledge that their talents are to be used to share the message of Christ's saving grace.  Fred always embeds a Bible verse within his paintings, whether on a subject's t-shirt, a signage along a street, or on a boat, much like how God embeds His word in Fred's heart.

Ephesians 2: 10 tells us, "For we are God's workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God, my Creator, You have signed Your name on me, and have embedded Your word in my heart. Thank you for creating me, and for the talents you have given me! May I always remember to use them for Your glory, for Your Kingdom, and not for my own selfish ambitions, or for recognition from others. Let me boast only of what You have done!

Random acts of kindness_Ephesians 2:6-10

Random acts of kindness are not as random as we would like to believe.

I just re-posted a video uploaded by a FedEx employee who delivered a package to the house of a woman. In many deliveries, the trivial niceties are usually exchanged:
How are you this morning? Sign here.
I'm fine.  How about you?
I'm fine. Hope you have a good day!
Yea, thanks! You too!

But this time, the woman replied that she wasn't having a good day because her husband was sick. Awkward! But as the FedEx employee had to rush to complete her deliveries, she bid the woman goodbye.  To cut a long story, she felt burdened so when she complete her route, she felt drawn to return to that woman's house.  When she did, she simply hugged that woman, who broke down and was very grateful.

It didn't cost her a thing but her time, but it made such a huge difference to that woman who needed some comfort, a shoulder to cry on, just knowing someone cared.

Lord, help me to listen to Your Holy Spirit when You whisper, and when You tug at my heartstring to do something for someone else.  Let me always be open to act in kindness when You tell me to, because I know that it wouldn't be random.  It would be a God-purposed act.

A Woman of Strength_Ruth 1:11-18

Ruth is one of my favorite Bible personalities because she is a woman of obvious strength in character and in faith. In today's standards though, when women are expected to be assertive and "break the glass ceiling", she may be deemed as "weak" or meek, and too submissive. Instead of going back home and look for another favorable marriage, she opted to follow her mother-in-law into a land she was not familiar with; and she obeyed her mother-in-law in a plan to "attract" the rich relative.

Her meekness and obedience showed how selfless she was.  She knew that without someone taking care of her old, heartbroken and widowed mother-in-law, she would be left to fend for herself, not a good thing in that culture during that time. She willingly gave up whatever ambitions she had for herself to follow her husband's mother.  How many daughters-in-law would that?

Heavenly Father, Giver of all things, help me to use what You have graciously given me to see others with Christ's love and to give, not only things, but my time, my efforts and my talents. Give me the strength of meekness.

How does my heart look?_1 Samuel 16:1-7

When the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse's family to anoint the new king, Samuel most likely had in mind what a king should look like -- tall, handsome, strong, a commanding presence, maybe a loud voice, fighting skills, etc. Like a beauty pageant, each candidate among Jesse's sons paraded before Samuel only to be rejected by the Lord. David, the youngest and relegated to watching the sheep while everyone else was invited to the assembly with Samuel, the Judge, was finally called in, as a last ditch effort. It was he that God had chosen.

Why didn't the Lord just tell Samuel right away to call for David? God wanted to teach Samuel, and us, that the world's standards are not God's standards. What we may think to be right is not right with God. Our worldview is to look at "looks" -- height, facial features, body build, color of skin, social status, income etc. Our Father who created all of us, knows every single cell in our bodies. He calls us to serve Him according to the status of our HEARTS, our obedience to Him and willingness to serve Him are what matter most.

In the Circle of Light

I stand in a circle of light Scanning a crowd of faces Some familiar, some unknown All of us bound by the same spirit Bringing us together. My journey led me to this moment A momentous moment among many In a story written by the Great Author. “Extraordinary!”, you say; I say, "Ordinary made extraordinary, Not by anything I could've done without the Great Creator, and my family.” I stand in the Circle of Light Scanning a heavenly crowd of faces Some familiar, some unknown All beloved, bound by the same spirit Bringing us together. Healed. Forgiven. Redeemed. Ordinary as I am, My story made extraordinary In surrender to the Great King. /091218

Open Doors

1 Corinthians 16:9

"...because a great door for effective work has opened up for me, and there are many who oppose me."

Isn't it sad when someone is doing well at work, or in school, and yet there will be a few people who will find a way to discredit him or make his work harder that it already is? Crab mentality!

Paul encountered the same situation. He saw an opportunity in Ephesus to do great work for the Kingdom, but he acknowledged that many would not, or rather, did not want him to succeed. Despite the opposition, he courageously, in faith, decided to pursue this opportunity, knowing that it was an open door from God.

May we always have open eyes and hearts to know where You are leading us, just like Paul, Lord. May we courageously follow You despite knowing that there will be people who will make things hard for us. And, may we already claim victory in the name of Your Son, Jesus.

(Photo credit: www. birmingham-rep.co.uk)