Saturday, October 26, 2013

My Life as SFC"Singles for Christ"

I received a BBM message yesterday from Sis Annie asking for help regarding sharers for the upcoming MEC. She mentioned the qualities of the three sharers, sharer no. 3 should have the following qualities: active SFC Leader faithful in HH, teachings, conferences, believing that his/her relationship and faith if God is strengthened and deepen through service. I suggested some sharers from our team in mission to Uganda.  I saw their passion in service. Deep inside my heart, have the voice of why not do it? Do I have those qualities mentioned? Is this an invitation for me to share God's magnificence then I remember the song Fearless. God is ever fearless in loving us that he even gave up His only begotten Son for our salvation. I should be like Him fearless especially in proclaiming His majesty.
It was in 2010 when my sister asked me to join Singles for Christ. I was reluctant because I was already a member of a charismatic group based in St. Michael's Church. Out of her persistence and perhaps out of my love for her, I attended the Christian Life Program. I graduated November of the same year. After the graduation, there were lots of challenges. I became dry with my spiritual life. I even came to the point when I felt disappointed of joining the community. With that one year, we only had 2 or 3 household meetings.
It was December 2011 when I assessed myself. What happen to me after graduating CLP?  I wrote a personal article regarding things I should do when I turned 26 in 2012. I told myself I have to do something, I have to step up then I prayed. I asked our Lord God to lead me and allow me to serve even in any service in the community. January 2012, there was a teaching and it was Evangelization Training. I attended the teaching despite the fact that it was conducted from the other chapter. I volunteered myself and Praise God, the team heads joyfully allowed me to attend.  Weeks after, I received a call from Bro. Ronald who was the team leader of the upcoming CLP to be conducted on Feb. He invited me to be part of the service without hesitation, I said yes. I thought I will just be part of logistics like arranging the chairs, preparing the venue and all but the Lord God wanted me to do more. Bro. Ronald informed me that I will be one of the facilitators. I accepted the invitation despite of all my doubts in myself. I told Bro. Ronald about my concerns and one of those is my formation track. I never completed my one year formation track. I never had my CO and all but God is ever faithful and loving, that week COW was conducted for the newly graduates.
That was the turning point of my life as a SFC. I experienced more of His love when I served as facilitator for the CLP. He trusted me with 8 souls in the first few weeks of CLP but only four of them graduated. I am so blessed with these four brothers. I asked for His grace to give me wisdom during discussions and one to ones. I gained respect from them and our brotherhood grew towards the end of CLP. I was inspired by their life stories, what they became after the CLP. They have been very faithful with our household meeting despite of theirs struggles with work schedules, finances and all. I was inspired by their dedication in growing more spiritually in love with our Great God.
                Came January 2013, one night I was outside my barracks sitting when I received a call from my chapter leader Bro. Daniel inviting me to serve as Team Leader for the upcoming CLP. I freaked out because I was surprised and he knows my struggles with my work schedules. I am working on shift so definitely I am not getting regular Friday offs. Out of his persistence again telling me that everything will be well handed of and in cases that I will not be around the supervising unit will take charge.  I was still worried the whole night but when I was about to sleep and read the reflection in didache. God spoke to me affirming that He really wanted me to serve.  
"Reflection: Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths, He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well. (McClaren)
Lord, give us the courage to speak up and stand up in Your Name.
-excerpts from Didache 2-1-13"
After reading it, I can't help it but cried. So the following day I called Bro. Dan to say yes. Days before the CLP, there were some challenges especially with my work schedules. I continued to pray and trust in God's providence and love. Lo and behold after all the pressure from my supervisor down to his subordinates, we came out with a schedule. I was praying for Friday off but he granted more. He granted me all weekends off from Friday to Sunday but there are instances that I have to work on weekends as per request of my colleagues. I really leaped for joy and thanked Him for answering my prayers.  We finished the CLP with 33 promising brothers and sisters, dedicated in serving and loving God. Even some of them are here first timers in MEC but joyfully serving in any committees.
                When I went to mission in Uganda, I experienced more of his bountiful providence and everlasting love. He provided me everything and allowed me to have that experience. For me it was really a fulfillment as a SFC to go for mission. Mission is a way of baring oneself to do whatever He tells us to do.  It was in the mission that I experienced different kind of joy. I felt more of his amazing love and grace every time I stood proclaiming His greatness. I know I was not qualified but He qualifies the called. He prepared the way for me.
I know there are more exciting things to come. The one year that I was full of disappointment s in the community is a way of Him to prepare me for greater things. If I continued to sit waiting doing nothing to step up, I will never experience all of His magnificence.  I was struck by Kuya Goi, one of the FTWs I met in Kenya. He told me that always remember that there is no perfect community but we have a perfect GOD, omniscient. Always go back and focus of your main reason of joining SFC and that is knowing and loving HIM.  I will forever say yes to His invitation because I know that my doubts, anxieties are nothing compare to His magnificence. I will forever grateful in serving Him whenever and wherever I am called to do.
Heavenly Father, I praise and thank You for this great opportunity serving you. You know my frailties and my shortcomings but you never stop knocking in my hearts asking me to do things. I am so blessed for allowing me to be part of this vibrant community, an avenue for me to know and strengthen my faith by serving You. I understand that  this spiritual battle never ends but I will always be grateful knowing that You are with me, My Armor, My Shield, My Victor in this battle. Continue to use me Father and I will continue to offer everything to you because I know I can do all things through your Son Jesus who strengthens me. I love you Heavenly Father, I love You Jesus. Amen.


May God be Praised!

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