my soul's travels: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

All it took was a moment. In the middle of a birthday dinner, somebody says a funny anecdote while at service, and a lot of thoughts run in my mind. Here's the verse that was the center of the conversation:

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

I believe this was a short reminder of why i made this change in the first place. My old life needed to die so i can be with Him. There's no point of looking back at the things i used to enjoy, those worldly stuff. Clinging to those memories is like being stuck in a jail cell we built for ourselves. The world is full of temptations. The enemy will not waste time in ensuring that he hasn't done enough to sway me back to my old life. But the promise of life with the Father is far grander than the ephemeral joys of a life lived wrongly. He must be proud every time I say no to temptations. And it is difficult to say no when one's faith is weak. The more we turn our backs on sin, the more God is pleased. In the same way, when we entertain sin, we disown the Father as we disobey Him. But He is faithful. He will never lose faith in His children. I may lose my way, but our God is not a God of anger, but a God of hope and love.

I have not written like this for a long time, but today's events proved to be too much of a blessing to be ignored. To hear my high school classmates' disbelief in the fact that i don't drink nor smoke anymore, reminded me of what BJ told me months ago: The best way to prove God's miracles is to be that testament of change for other people. I have gone through one2ones, small group meetings, service and all, but God never stopped revealing Himself in a lot of situations in my life. I used to be so angry and disappointed about a lot of things. But things started to make sense when i let go, and let God handle things for me.

This year started not so good. Just when i set my faith goals, a health problem came in the picture. But that's the point of believing. Despite everything that would seem to be a problem, it's my attitude that will show the Father how i see Him.

I pray, Father, that i will always remember your promise of a bountiful life. Thank You for surrounding me with friends who constantly remind me of Your will and love for me. Thank You for putting me in situations where i can fully see Your work in my life, whether in conversations with people or making huge decisions. My faith goals remain intact, and i claim every item on that list because You are a faithful, unlimited God.