There’s a higher calling

Today’s devotional reminds me of a higher calling.  More than wealth, fame and luxury is a higher purpose that God prepared for me.

Though we are urged to “walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called” (Eph. 4:1), we live in a world where we face distracting enticements. Maybe we’re offered a job that pays well but requires that we compromise biblical principles. Our calling is always to do God’s will.

I remember having interviews for new jobs that really interests me.  I dress up really well and even buying new clothes just to impress.  I review my books on job interviews to refresh me how to answer their questions wittingly.

However, I would always feel bad whenever I learn that the job requires me to work on Saturdays.  For some interviews, I immediately close the door, knowing that this job is not for me.  In some cases, I am thinking to compromise because the job is really really great, with great pay and great oppurtunities to go abroad.  Yet, here I am still in my old job enjoying the liberty of rest every Sabbath.

I also remember another job interview where I was told of a possible work during Saturdays.  Although the regular working days is only from Monday to Friday, there are possibilities of overtime during the weekend.  I told them I can work on Sunday if needed but not on a Saturday because I am a Seventh-day Adventist and I have responsibilies at church.  I gave them examples in my current workk where there are urgent requests to go to work on Saturdays but I was able to find ways to fix the issue without compromising my Sabbath and my work.

But that wasnt enough for them and keep on probing me questions of what ifs.  Then I told them this.

“The amount of dedication I give to my Sabbath is the same amount of dedication I give to my work.  For just one day per week, I devote myself to worship and serve the Lord.  For the other five days per week, I give the same devotion to my work.”

That silenced them with a satisfied nod.  A few weeks later, they called up me up for the job offer.

I want something more

I have been crying this one out for months.

I want more.  I want more money to spent.  I want more time to enjoy life.  I want more places to visit.  I want more pleasure and conviniences.

I have been looking for it for several places lately.  Getting job interviews, surfing the web for new oppurtunities, visiting vacation spots.  I want to get out from where I am now.

I feel unfulfilled because I dont seem to be where I want to be.  I still dont own my own car.  I still dont have my own house.  I dont have the great fancy gadgets.  Why cant I have all these when the others have them all.d

The devotional I just read, gave me time to reflect on this thought that bothers me.

If you’ve never acquainted yourself with the depths of God’s love and His call for you to live in that love, your life will be filled with anxiety and cares. You’ll often be fretful and restless—always looking for that illusive “something more.”

This is my problem.  I’ve been thinking so much of what I am missing in life.  Material things that I want but unsure if they will really make me happy.

Im trying to take things one at a time.  Taking its course.  The better oppurtinities may come later.  The thesis my take longer to complete.  But I know God is working things out for me.  I need to keep on reminding myself that this is what’s best.

Why not I?

I have been working on an issue at work.  It’s been there for several months and I have been getting into deadends.  No progress and its affecting our goals.  Worst, it has reached the level of the managers and they are keeping a keen eye on the issue.  This means I have to double my efforts to resolve it. 

Changes took place.  I am now working on the issue with two other engineers.  That can mean two things:  (1)  They see the need for additional heads on the issue.  I really need a helping hand to speed things up since I used to be the only one doing it or (2)  They no longer trust my judgement and I need others to help me out.  The second one got me scared, desperate and paranoid.

Two weeks past and we still come up with the wrong theories.  Nothing seem to work.  Last Wednesday, during the YM Prayer Meeting, I asked for a prayer to grant me the wisdom to solve this issue.  And every night, I would pray and challenge him to help me just as he helped me before.

Yesterday, my prayer was answered.  One of our experiments showed significant change that can resolve the issue once and for all.  I should be happy.  But I was not.  The idea on how to resolve it didnt come from me but from my colleague.

Why not I, Lord?  I prayed for You to give me the wisdom to resolve it and You gave it to someone else.  I am desparate to clean up this mess so that I will be recognize for it and have myself redeemed.  But no.  It didnt came from me.

I was bothered with this thought but came to realize His wisdom.

1.  I need to understand teamwork.  I was not working alone but as a team.  What the team achieves, everybody wins.  God is part of my team.

2.  I need to be humbled.  I am not perfect and sometimes, I need others to help me.  The possible solution that was given was something I alone can never arrive to.  God used my teammate to make me realize that.

3.  I need others.  Two weeks can seem to be a long time to arrive at a solution.  But if I was doing it alone, it can take another quarter.  I learned to work with them despite our differences.  I learn how to communicate with them effectively and establish respect with one another.

Why not I?  God knows.  What I know, He still knows whats best.  And my best is yet to come.

YM Certified

What does it mean to be part of the youth ministry?  What does it mean to be an Adventist Youth?

This is a question I have been pondering since the start of the year.  When I started handling the programming of the youth ministry of Pasay, there is a big challenge to introduce something new to the group.  Something that will greatly revive its members.

Last year, we were successful in at least reviving the dwindling number of members.  We have several new young members who were starting to become active in our activities.

The challenge this year is how to keep them in the ministry and help them find

What we came up with is the Youth Certified Program.   Launched last January, the program aims to have constant activities every month where the youth members will be trained and certified to be ready for God’s service.  Through the certification activities, the members will be able to find their gifts and strengths and find the best venue where they can be of service.  They will be able to find a part in the ministry where they best belong.

Easily said.  But the program is just in its infancy and the whole concept is still being built.  Hopefully, we will be able to find a ways injecting the right activities for us to meet our goals.  Through God’s grace we will.