“Enough making any appointment.” I was listening to Goh Keat Peng(IFES) on my seat while examining myself how I‘ve been hypocrite before God. Learning I‘ve gained from Personal Holistic Growth session during the recently held Graduates & Graduate Team National Conference in Ilo-Ilo humbled me to my nothingness. Silence and tears brought me to my senses. I attended GTCon because I believe it was an appointment with God. It‘s a little presumptuous of me to assume that I can schedule Him in my calendar! The first day, first session, I got offended. His Words piercing to my heart revealed my arbitrary judgment of practicing the presence of God. Often I labeled events between secular and sacred. No, nothing is secular. When everything is done for the Lord, such is sacred. He is never absent, whenever, wherever.
“I am the captain of my ship.” Sailing, blown by the wind, drifted away – a captain who adores the sea
but overlooks the One who controls the waves, a reminder of my Christian responsibilities. The fullness of God has been filled in me through His Spirit, therefore, mature management of my priorities and making adjustments to attain desired goals is required of me. His Word as the principal instrument of guidance does not exempt me from making mature decisions for attitude and lifestyle check, work ethic, business conduct and relationship status. If the goal defined is not from God, it is not absolutely right!
“Give up the childish ways.” Holding on and giving up, knowing in part and understanding fully—a transition from being a child to becoming a man. “Our best Christian witness is our consistent Christian values and attitude”, Goh Keat Peng said. When we give up our childish ways, we let go of our pretense and hypocrisy and hold grip to authenticity. “How do I think?” or “What am I doing?” asking myself of these is of help to reexamine my motive and so to prevent me from echoing another person‘s conviction. Before His presence, I should be true about myself! The Lord desires our inner core to be genuinely Christ-like. Becoming a man is a decision to give space for others, to never look down on a human being (social class is sinful in its entire system), to open opportunities outside the wall of the church, and to embrace the sinners the way Jesus did. Rebuking!
“Abide.” Appears ten times in John 15. As I have listened to the testimonies of some IV Graduates, ‘pruning’ has been always the process endured in bearing fruit. Painful, some have to confront relational
issues among believers. Tired, others have felt withdrawing from the ministry work. Outdated, few are meeting-both-end to bridge generation gap. Alone and lonely perhaps, many are single and wishing for marriage. Our mature response to circumstances alike is His way to make His glory known in us. For us to bear much fruit and so to prove that we are His disciples, we should be steadfast abiding in His love. Though five days in the conference was a foretaste of heaven, standing on my feet now is a broken land. To be the healing agents in the students and graduates ministry remains a challenge for IV Graduates. “WHOM SHALL I SEND?” No this, no that.
(Written by: Cristy Ann G. Blanco, RAC Secretary & GT-Volunteer for ISCF-Kao NHS)
