Preparation

Preparation is indeed a word that describes if not all, majority of the breakthroughs and great things that happened in my life. What is wonderful about preparation is that it is not always pleasing and doesn't always bring a good feeling. Sometimes, it even challenges relationships, tests faith, provokes impatience, and shakes foundations. It reveals character. But always remember that once every storm strikes, with God alongside us, we always end up victorious. I can't help but reminisce our lives as a family last 2009 and how God showed his faithfulness and commitment for us- as a family.

Allow me to write about preparation in general and in my life as a whole.

1. Marriage- God prepared me for great things. He prepared me to get married to a wonderful woman, filled with faith, excitement and love for God. A faith that shames mine (most of the time), a faith the blows away every unbelief and doubts that I experience. I am glad that God prepared me to accept that fact, that I married a woman who isn't perfect- but man, she's full of wisdom, when in comes to believing God for something.

2. Typhoon Ondoy- The people who adopted and helped us can attest as to how God has been faithful to us, especially during the last quarter of 2009. Although we lost material things, God doubled it. We did not see it as preparation at first, in fact, we were discouraged also, cried over what happened. I cried seeing my kids sleeping and transferring from one house to another. Then I thought, if that is how I feel as a human being, how much more is God's concern over us- His children that He died for? God prepared us indeed, not as we expected it to be- in our eyes, but He did.

3. Our children: Matt and Dave- This is one of the highlights of my life for the past 3+ years. I know that raising children is a challenge but discipling them is more than a challenge. It entails huge preparations. Who would I want them to follow? How can I raise the standard? How can I teach destiny? Humility? Teachability? How can I demonstrate Jesus in a manner that they can understand? God has prepared me and still teaching me about this. I remember, I have always looked up to the people who trained me in church. From the start that I joined Victory, I have always wanted to build a family the way my leaders do it. That is mainly because my Raising Children 101 lessons are outdated, but with God's help, he surrounded me with people who served as living examples/lessons whom I can learn from. I am not yet sure as to how things will work out exactly, because Matt and Dave are still young, but I am excited of whatever they will become- in God's perfect time. I remember Pstr. Joel sharing about Mt 6:8 saying, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him". This one comforted me bigtime, not just with my children, but leading a family as a whole. Sometimes, I tend to get worried, but yes, my Father (take note of that word, it's really life-changing, because He's not just a God now, He is my Father) knows EVERYTHING that I need.. isn't that very comforting? :)

4. People- God prepared me and my wife for this. Actually, it's more of Him renewing our passion and compassion for people. Our desire to fish for men and women always reflects our desire to honor God and love Him. His very heart is for people. His Kingdom is all about people- feeding them, helping them, interceding for them, loving them, and training them to follow Christ. This is important- and I know how it meant for us ni Connie, having people surrounding us also, standing for us and praying for us- makes you feel and see God through them.

5. For the Future. Preparation is always for the future. It is like a plan. You won't prepare for your past. You won't prepare for your present. You prepare for your future. And there is always a reason why you prepare. You don't prepare for nothing, just because you want it- without any motive or intention at all. You prepare because you are aspiring for something. It is therefore safe to say that only those who aspire or dream for something prepare. What is the sense of preparation without the goal? It's like buying an airline ticket without a destination. How foolish would that be. But still a lot of people do that. They call it spontaneity. Fun. It's like going home without a route or specific road to take. Just go on and on and hoping that the road leads you to your house eventually (sorry, hope is not even the right word for this). The other way of looking at this is having a goal, but failing to prepare. It is like taking the boards without reviewing now. Aspiring to have the best wife, without being the best husband-to-be now. There is more, I can go on and on, but I hope my point is well-explained already.

I am glad that I have a big God who is preparing me for a great future. I can be sure that it is going to be marvelous. I can trust Him because of His Word. I can trust Him because He already proved Himself faithful, from the time that I learned how much He loved me and gave Himself for me, until the time that He blessed me with things I can't even begin to say that I truly deserve. What more proof can I say to convince me of His love and commitment for me on top of this- dying for me and taking away the punishment that I deserve? What more? It is even hard to do that to someone we love, how much more to our enemies? We were once enemies, but how come he loved us still? How come he wants to give us a hope and a future? What could we have done to deserve Him?

1 Peter 1: 13-14 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Hebrews 10:4-6 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.