Opportunity and Change

It’s been long since I had some reflections on Scripture… Masaya talaga pag lumuluwag ang schedule ^_^

Numbers 20:1-13

In this passage, we see why Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. We however, may not understand why a seemingly “small” error on his part was considered by God as a grave offense, which, in a sense, far outweighed Moses’ decades of leading and service.

At the first glance, one might say that what he did was “strike the rock instead” of “talk to it.” You might say, “Ah, he wasn’t polite to the rock!”

The charge against Moses was more than just a lack of courtesy to inanimate objects. Before we continue, it would be best for us to see Exodus 17:1-7, where a similar incident happened on the very same place, about two decades prior.

Perhaps Moses was enraged by the forgetfulness of the Israelites, not noticing that they were in the very same place asking for the very same thing. Perhaps Moses was saying to himself, “must we (Moses and Aaron) prove to you again that you will not die here?” And so, in an almost duplicated reenactment, (sans God standing beside Moses perhaps?) Moses gallantly raises the prized staff and hits the rock…

It might be good to notice that in Numbers, Moses struck the rock TWICE instead of once, before water started rushing out. Perhaps Moses thought that he didn’t strike it hard enough, when in fact, the truth was, at that very moment, God was most likely reminding him that nothing about the stick can be miraculous apart from God’s permission. Perhaps after the first strike, God was testing if Moses would result back to speaking to inanimate objects, in obedience to God’s command. Perhaps God saw that Moses would continue to strike the rock a million times until he sees water, and therefore permitted water to rush out anyway, because God is the Provider after all…

Yet all these came at such a high cost. Moses disobeyed God and trusted in his hand and in his stick, regretfully forgetting for a few seconds that he was powerless, and that his stick was no anting-anting. By hitting the rock twice, Moses, as the representative of God among the Israelites, almost put God to shame among them.

and so, God’s verdict on Moses and Aaron was:

“Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Lessons:

1. Grace, mercy, and discipline go together, expect all of them to be present in your life.

2.We are to look back on our past experices, not to trust our experiences, but the God who gave them to us.

3. God works miracles in many, often unique ways. We cannot make a “Handbook of how to make miracles happen” and expect it to be a bestseller.

4. We are to have “no confidence in the flesh” (or the stick, for that matter).

Have a blessed day!

It’s been one long day, yet for once in a very long time I have almost no regrets on how I spent it, save for lying awake during siesta hours.

I’ve seen God’s name lifted up and given honor all day, in the lives of the people around me. From thesis defenses and prayers, to singing and preaching God’s word. I hope this is just a prelude to the Jesus week in UP Diliman.

“What consumes you?”

Was just one of the many phrases that I eavesdropped from someone who prepared a short devotion that sounded like a compact sermon on one’s attitudes towards ministry.

Our standards when it comes to serving God must be worthy of the God we serve. No less than the best is what we’re supposed to give. Mediocre Christianity is an irony that should not be tolerated on account of mercy and grace. Though it exists, we are not to practice it. If we allow anything else apart from God to consume us, then we must change.

May UP give to Christ what is due Him.

Let it start with His Children.

Amen.

Praise God, friendster blog’s up again!

I have been wanting to blog about many things since January. My calendar, however, has “thesis mode” and “acad mode” stamped all over. Those are all on top of my regular responsibilities, namely, family budget, relationship, and God. My only other chill moments are travian in between papers, zsnes roms, and some moments with SVCFers and churchmates.

Enough with the ranting though, this article is supposed to be about glorifying God in one’s school life. It’s my last semester as a regular-load student in the university. Consequently, it’s my last chance to enter the college scholar/university scholar list, a dream I had ever since I entered UP.

Christians in the Bible were often called  “foolish” in the eyes of the world, and that they “shame the wise.” One might ask whether that “foolishness” translates into lower grades for the sake of Christ. The answer is a categorical, but specific yes.

In one sense, we were called to be Christians first before we were called to be students. Christian life and witness are given higher priority than academic standing. This does not mean, though, that we are to miss our classes for the sake of studying God’s word. It may mean though, that one may need to forego studying for an exam if an opportunity to share the gospel arises. It may mean limiting time spent on academic exploits to make time for fellowships and personal Bible study.  It definitely means avoiding cheating and dishonesty, and standing up for what you believe in, at the cost of unpopularity and possibly, failure.

Glorifying God in one’s academic life involves acknowledging and spreading the works of God in one’s academic life. It is letting the world know who God is and what He has done in your life. Whether it be a passed exam, a group report, or a bound thesis, we are to echo our dependence on the triune God.

To give glory to God is to offer each and every event and academic requirement to Him. It is to surrender our failures and mistakes, and seek comfort in Him. It is to realize that God is the sole, immovable anchor that will always be there for us. It is to worship God regardless of what happens, so that the world will know and seekHim.

In summary, this song couldn’t have said it any better:

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And His grace strength alone I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hand
But those trophies could not equal
To the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains, but losses
To glory of my Lord

My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

So, are people drawing near to God because of your academic life?