It’s the Holiday Season

I don’t know what’s with the Holiday Season. There is something about the season’s message that changes people. Most of us, if not all of us, know that whenever the holiday season comes around, there is a different feeling in the air besides a cold breeze. There is a different atmosphere that we feel during this time of the year. People tend to be more giving, people tend to be friendlier, people tend to be more loving. It is different than the rest of the year. To me, based on experience, the holiday season transforms people into a better version of themselves. People who are stingy tend to be more generous. Those who are mean tend to be a little nicer. Many are open to sharing with strangers during the holiday season. However we see it, the message of the holiday season changes a person. Whether this be for a temporary basis or permanent, the season’s message is transformational.

Could it be that this is just a universal reaction to a phenomenon called herd mentality, where people are reacting to other people’s actions? There is a reason why famous YouTubers earn millions of dollars in endorsements. Companies know their power to influence millions of their followers. These famous influencers are able to persuade their followers to do the same as they do.

2,000 years ago, the greatest influencer of all, Jesus Christ, showed the whole universe what love is, and that love transformed mankind in every generation. It’s very contagious that we see it every year during this season (although it’s unfortunate that most people display this love only once a year). What if the we all displayed this love everyday all throughout the year? That was the original intent of this holiday’s message - it meant to be an everyday message of love.

How about we become an influencer for good not only this holiday season, but keep this holiday season’s message all year round?

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalms 136:1
“We love because He loved us first.” 1 John 4:19

Always On Time

Over the years of living here in the United States, I have learned to discipline myself to being on time. As much as possible, I do not want to be late, especially when meeting someone. I don’t like being late, but there have been extenuating circumstances beyond my control when I have been late to meetings. And if you, the one reading this, happen to be one who has waited for me for hours, I’m sorry. I also hate being on the other side waiting for someone! There is a running joke in the Philippines of how Filipinos always run late. They even have a name for it – Filipino time!  So, the next time I’m late for a meeting, please understand where I come from. 

Kidding aside, my reflection for today comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 21. 

It was a depressing moment for the disciples. Jesus, their Master, was crucified, and even though Jesus already revealed himself twice after he resurrected, the disciples didn’t know what to make out of life. They were probably asking themselves, “What now? Where do we go from here?”

Peter just denied his Lord, whom he earlier confessed as the “Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) I can imagine that Peter was simply devastated and probably disappointed with himself. Obviously, he was bothered by the whole situation. He was depressed.

When faced with similar situations, I usually go out by myself. Just drive somewhere where I get “peace.” Probably go to play tennis, go mountain biking, or read a book. Sometimes I would talk to someone and vent to take out some of the tension and frustration.

Peter was in a state of fear, confusion and depression at that time, and so he went to his “happy place” – fishing.

But to add insult to injury, the narrative said that Peter and some of the other disciples were fishing all night, but they didn't catch anything! Now, imagine the huge frustration Peter must have had. Maybe at this point Peter already wanted to give up on life. After all, fishing was his life. It was his livelihood and the means to feed his family, and now it wasn’t working out for him. On top of that, the Life giver Himself, Jesus, was gone, and He was nowhere to be found… Or was it because of his darkened soul that he couldn’t see Jesus?

Ellen White, in her book, Desire of Ages, says, “All the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them with His eye, while He Himself was unseen” (810).

Peter was just about to call it quits when he saw Jesus! The gospel of John says, “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 21:4 ESV)

The story goes on to say that Jesus provided them with a huge catch, “so many fish that they were not able to haul it!” More than enough to provide for them and their families! And more importantly, Jesus' presence provided spiritual rescue for Peter’s dying soul.

The passage says, “Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.” (John 21:7 NLT)

Friends, Jesus comes on time! He is always on time! He may not be where you want Him to be, but He is there all the time. He may not seem to appear in the darkest times of your life, and we may be “fishing all night,” but He shows up right at the “break of dawn” where you can see His power the most!

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus… That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!...” John 21:4,7 ESV

A Success Story

Last week I received a message from a church member asking if I could give brief words of encouragement during the one-year celebration of her business. I thought to myself, why words of encouragement and not words of congratulations?

Then I realized that all the success stories in life, whether you are a successful athlete or a successful business leader, everyone has gone through trials, gone through so much sweat and tears, temptations, and struggles in order to get where they are. Judging from the way her business is going, she is doing pretty well and has become successful in what she’s doing, but I’m sure there were a lot of tears and sweat shed along the way, a lot of painful struggles, trials, and temptations that had to be overcome. And those things will never stop. That is why she requested words of encouragement.

One of my heroes in the Bible is Joseph. Now, Joseph was one of the greatest governors, if not the greatest governor in Egypt at that time. But before becoming the greatest governor of his time, life was not that great. He was the favorite son of Jacob, but that didn’t serve him well. He became the object of hatred and jealousy of his brothers. Joseph’s brothers hated him so much that they planned to kill him. Fortunately for Joseph, he still had some brothers who were opposed to the death penalty and opted for a life sentence. And so they eventually sold Joseph to slavery in Egypt.

As a slave, he worked for Potiphar who was an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. While working for Potiphar, Mrs. Potiphar noticed how good-looking Joseph was and tried to seduce him to commit adultery with her. But Joseph was a man of God, and he refused the request of Mrs. Potiphar and he said, “How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

Can you imagine the spiritual discipline of Joseph in the midst of a very difficult temptation? I mean, Joseph was presented with what many would say is a very favorable situation: Potiphar was not there, the wife probably was one of the most beautiful women in the land — it was indeed a very tempting proposition for Joseph. But Joseph thought about his God first above all the favorable situations! His loyalty to God came first!

But guess where that loyalty landed him? Jail!  Mrs. Potiphar twisted the story and made up a scene that destroyed the credibility of Joseph’s character. Mr. Potiphar was forced to believe the lie and yielded to the story even though he knew his servant’s character. He chose to side with his wife rather than the servant. I mean, who wouldn’t? Mr. Potiphar’s reputation was on the line. He had to protect it! So, he had no choice but to throw Joseph in prison.

Now, this is the time when the believer’s faith is tested. Many times, this is where the temptation to doubt God comes in, and it’s understandable. The believers are doing the right thing, and yet they are the ones being persecuted! Where is the justice, you ask? It is during these circumstances when one struggles to stand on the principles of God.

Friends, when we decide to side with God life will not always be easy; we will face tribulations, temptations, and struggles. But at the same time, this is when we begin to see and experience the power of God! (John 16:33)

The Bible says the Lord was with Joseph (Gen. 39:21), and when he was in jail, Joseph was given the power of God to interpret the dreams of the baker and the butler. And when the king heard what Joseph could do, the king summoned Joseph to interpret his dream. The king was so impressed with Joseph that he exclaimed, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38 NLT)

That very same day, the king made Joseph the next powerful man in Egypt, and that all the people in the land of Egypt will take orders from the boy who was once sold to slavery! Can you imagine? This is the goodness of God! What an awesome and mighty God we serve!

We may weep for now because of the struggles that we are facing, but joy comes in the morning! We may be hurting for now, but healing is on the way! There might be some hiccups along the way, but your story and my story are success stories! Be encouraged!

“So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33