Nothing happens by chance. Before the Season I had been chewing on one message: What is the most important? To love God.1 From it stemmed material for me to share (as my family was going on a vacation, I had to delegate 4 VG materials—heart, soul, mind, strength; and allow 2 identified leaders to facilitate the VG in my absence. I have been writing weekly blogs too). The other principles I gleaned “so far” (since learning God’s word is partial, progressive, and conditional)—the world we live in is complex; we need to search for truth; all questions are valid; we have to make the effort to hear; be still; there is One God; above all love God; He is a personal God; loving God involves our heart, soul, mind, strength. But what really struck me is that the verse is actually a quote from the OT. Only, and this is a revelation, the mind was added to emphasize its importance through the process of loving God.
It is our responsibility to search for truth like silver or hidden treasure.2 Reading is a means to an end, just as questioning and thinking are other methods of engaging the mind. “The point of Christian learning is to understand God’s two books—Scripture and the world . . . to glorify God,”3
To illustrate, let me share 3 recent experiences: One, before the New Year we were invited by a friend for buffet lunch (we categorize his faith as Hyper-Faith—his life story has been that of total dependence on God; he has been serving the community of Christians globally; lately, his physical body has slowed him down—he goes through dialysis twice weekly while awaiting a kidney donor, among other needs). Wanting to surprise his wife and 2 sons, he had been crying out to God. God complied by providing a suite, sumptuous food, and daily precious gifts all expenses paid for. He has lived at the suite for almost a month now. God’s way of humoring him perhaps? Rightly so; aren’t we more precious than birds or the lilies of the land?4
Two, after New Year we had a wedding at Tagaytay. We took the CaLaX road; and for the 1st time, our car overheated. Fortunately, it happened adjoining a car wash. Yet we reached our destination and arrived home safe. Saturday, I brought it in for service. I explained the problem: “Air-con weakened; temperature overheats; without shutting the engine, allowed steam out and tap the radiator with water; engine shut, the water bubbles out, practically emptying the water with the coolant.” The request as written: Check engine overheating “Tumataas ang temperature then uminit ang aircon nung nag-off ng aircon, bumaba ang temperature at nagbabawas din ng coolant” We cannot rely on secondhand information. We need to investigate personally what we are told, similar to the Bereans.5
Three, Stella and I rode a cab home. As a habit I engaged the driver. I learned he is from Bicol; relocated to Metro Manila with his dad when he was 18; finished high school, tried vocational studies in mechanics; the parents live separate lives; 2 other siblings have transferred from Bicol; he is now married and lives at Cavite with their 6-year-old and 1-year-old; his wife has to care for the kids as the eldest was diagnosed with Leukemia. What do you do when faced with such a story? A thought came (But logic would interfere). Yet I know God prefers obedience than sacrifice.6 Without having to understand, I instruct Stella not to worry and to go ahead down; I would settle. Handing what I had, I asked his name and asked if I could pray for him. He was surprised and emotional. I offered a short simple prayer in Tagalog. And left him with a message of hope, “(His name), kapit lang! Dasal kang diretsyo kay Hesukristo; naririnig ka niya.” Whether the daughter heals or not, I leave to God. What matters is that I obeyed and trusted that God will move.
During our Fasting and Prayer, may Jesus Christ grant you the grace to see, hear, discern, understand the love of God and that you may have the fear of the Lord, know Him deeper, and to obey whatever He puts in your heart. This 2020 may the Holy Spirit move through your hands wherever he leads you that Jesus may be glorified.
Notes:
1. Mark 12:28-30
2. Proverbs 2:4
3. John Piper, Think. Quoting Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame, p. 13
4. Matthew 6:25-33
5. Acts 17:11
6. 1 Samuel 15:22
