Busyness as Usual

Life is demanding. Whether one is depressingly poor or is excessively rich, much time is required to pressures of having food on the table for the former and in maintaining, if not increasing, one’s fortune for the latter. Even those in between are torn between spending quality time with family and meeting endless demands at work.

In the past, I kept a tight schedule of activities: juggling work assignments with civic commitments; stretching time for family and teaching in the university; plus meeting deadlines in column writing and finding some moments for artistic endeavours. The frenzy seemed to go on forever – and I thought the busyness was the reason for being. Then it stopped abruptly. I migrated to New Zealand and found myself out of work for 9 months. The first two months seemed fine as a fitting break from 30 years of working, but by the third month, depression crept in when rejections from job applications started to pile up.

Then I found more time to reading the Scriptures, writing reflections, joining Couples for Christ and founding TawagAwit. From busyness as usual, I found more meaning and fulfilment doing God’s business."Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23, 24) Now, the ‘8-to-5’ job I currently hold seems like a breeze as I start each morning with prayers and reflection on the gospel of the day; and hum new songs throughout the day inspired by readings. Not only do I look forward to the weekly gatherings of TawagAwit when we pray and sing to the Lord, but also to the prayer time with family members. It is amazing that as we give priority to God’s business, He puts order in our lives, freeing us from the pressures of the world and the temptations of Satan.

Fools work for their own satisfaction, while the true follower of Christ works selflessly for others. "Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good." (Ephesians 5:16) Life on earth is a test given by a perfect God. Our priority in the use of our time should therefore be focused beyond four square meals each day or amassing earthly treasures. So it was asked in the Old Testament:"What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:3) So it was responded to in the New Testament: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life in the eternal kingdom of God]?" (Mark 8:36)

We must set our eyes on the promise of limitless joy with the Lord who keeps tab on how well we spend our limited lifetime in this world.

by Mel Libre

Miracles in Instalments

The outpouring of sympathy, prayers and help must have been an overwhelming experience for the family of Roderick Catuday. Charity in the form of money brought NZ$45,000.00, short of NZ$105,000.00 required to commence the operation and medication of the cancer-stricken Roderick.  More activities – like garage sales and concerts  - were lined-up by helpful individuals determined to reach the seemingly unreachable target. Yet God, seeing the unity and hopefulness of His people, performed a miracle. He enlightened the Visa Officer who approved the two-year work visa of Roderick, thereby making him qualified for government funding for the cost of treatment at NZ$150,000.
In October last year, Len Reyes, who had a 7 month-old baby in her womb, was diagnosed with pituitary gland tumour.  A delay in the surgery could have resulted in the complete blindness, if not death, of the mother. There was a slim chance of saving the baby.  When the child was delivered, Len had severe sepsis and septic shock that required her to be transferred to the critical care unit. Brethren in the Couples for Christ, friends and acquaintances sought God’s intercession in the difficult hours and the Lord performed not just one, but two miracles: Len and baby Yana survived. After nearly six months since those agonising days, both mother and child enjoy their lives in the company of family and friends.

Praise God for His mighty deeds! “Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:4)

Even with the Lord’s wonderful works, Roderick, who has begun treatment, has yet to be healed of cancer, while the Reyes family have still to settle unpaid hospital bills of approximately NZ$35,000.00, which cannot be covered by government funding.

God’s miracles can come either in full or in instalments. In many instances during his ministry, Jesus healed instantly those who had faith in Him. There are times though that God does not grant miracles. In the passage, “(Paul) left Trophimus sick at Miletus” (2 Timothy 4:20), St Paul, who performed miracles, acknowledges a time when God did not grant a miracle. There are times too when God performs miracles in instalments, as shown in the situation of Roderick and Len.  

What moves God to perform miracles? One is faith in Him like the woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years and touched the fringe of Jesus’ cloak. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (Luke 8:48) So did the enthusiasm of the crowds wanting to learn, listen and be healed by Him. “...but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.”  (Luke 9:11) For God has compassion for His people. “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

Let us with faith and enthusiasm continue to pray for the healing of Roderick as we call on God to enlighten those in abundance to help Len. “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17)

The Lord did not fail those who believed in Him in the past. He will not fail us now. “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” (Psalm 78:7)

by Mel Libre