HOW TO STAND OUT

(GUSTO MO BA SUMIKAT?) A personal reflection on the 2nd Sunday of #Lent 2018

Life is hard. Kung minsan hindi mo alam kung kakayanin mo pa. But here’s the good news. God will be with you all the way. Walang iwanan. He even leads the way as you climb life’s troubles. 

Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. 

Jesus leads the way so we can conquer our “mountains". We are called to endure the difficulties because there is a great reward at the end of the journey. The reward is God himself!

Mark 9:2 “...And he was transfigured before them”

Have you ever climbed a mountain? It can be very tiring. The pathway is rough. Your backpack becomes a burden as you go up. Your breathing becomes harder. Every step becomes heavier as you move forward. Parang gusto mo na sumuko at bumalik na lang. But don't give up. Because all these is nothing compared to the prize when you reach the summit. You will be in awe with the beauty of nature, recharged by the fresh air and relaxed with the sight of the clear blue sky. You will feel that you're on top of the world. All of life’s trials is nothing compared to experiencing the glory of God. Bale wala ang hirap pag ang Diyos ang iyong kaharap!

Mark 9:3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

Peter wanted to stay there because it was so awesome! He wanted the great feeling to last forever.

Mark 9:5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 

He forgot about his troubles during that special moment. In that occassion, it felt like it was only him and God. No distractions. No troubles. No pain. All joy.

Mark 9:8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

That must have been such an experience, right? If you had that experience, you would go out and share it to a hundred or to a thousand. Maybe not only thousands. You would share it to as many people as possible. But God told them to wait. He asked them to wait for the right moment.

Mark 9:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

So, paano ba sumikat? How can one shine or stand out? By following God & being courageous. Peter, James, and John obeyed God.

Mark 9:10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

They became courageous when Jesus rose from the dead. This should also give us the courage to face our problems head on. It gives us the confidence to follow Jesus all the way. When we follow Jesus, His glory shines on us. Then, we are able to shine out His glory to others. Kaya kung gusto mo sumikat, sumikat ka para sa Diyos!

Are you afraid? Don’t be.

Are you experiencing problems? Just wait.

What can you do? Be brave & obey God. 

Because when we are courageous we shine out for Jesus! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#Lent2018

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