Taken from His Perspective

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

If there is one thing that I have learned to understand after twenty-two years, it would be God’s perfect will. Today, a friend told me that God takes back things we are not yet ready for, and returns it when we are. My heart disagreed. I believe God is perfect, and His will is perfect. He is holy and just. Because He is perfect, His plans are also perfect. His timing is perfect. When He created the world, its seasons are in perfect order and transition. So what happens when everything in our lives mess up? It is not God’s fault. It is ours and ours alone. We, the imperfect. We, the weak ones. We, the selfish ones. We do not know what is best for us, for we cannot see future implications and effects in a perfect vision. We could only understand what is comprehensible today, and no matter how we think about things, we can never assure ourselves that our lives will work perfectly.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

He is a just God. He perfectly brings about justice in every creature. He would not give us things we cannot handle. He would not give us things that we cannot overcome. He knows if we are ready to encounter a situation, because he knows our capacity as a lone individual. Yet He also knows what we can do when we are with Him.

… You are familiar with all my ways. (Psalm 139:3 NIV)

Why, then, do we fail to handle and to overcome things? Because we do it by our own strength. Because we are not made to endure things all by ourselves. It is our proud and sinful nature which pulls us down. Our God is a loving God. He wants us to seek Him first, so we could know how to get through this life. He wants to be involved, because He knows every consequence of all our deeds. He wants to take our battles and fight for us, and then give us the victory. This is the first step in obeying His perfect will for us.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

More surprisingly, even if we did not ask for it, He already gave us His Son, so whenever we fail, His salvation is always ready.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

The just God is also a loving God. For Him to save us, He laid down the life of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the perfect atonement for our sins. This way, He showed us His love, and He executed justice. Our sins were forgiven. Our debt has been paid.

When we realize this, we can finally see a bigger picture from His perspective. God does this, because He has a reputation to maintain. For His own glory, He will fulfill His perfect will. 

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. (Isaiah 48:11 NIV)

Every perfect plan, every perfect timing, every perfect will of God is centered in glorifying Him. There is no other reason. He loves, He blesses, He punishes, He forgives, to bring glory to Himself, because He is God. 

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)

As Max Lucado says it, “God exists to showcase God.” He created the earth, not to play with it or make just about anything from our little lives. He created us all for His glory. At first, this is hard to understand. Of course, our minds have limits; it cannot comprehend heavenly things, unless God’s Spirit helps us realize this.

If there is one thing to describe our purpose in this life, it is to glorify God above all other things. Glorify Him in His goodness. Glorify Him in our weakness. Glorify Him in our meek intellect. Glorify Him in His perfect wisdom. Glorify Him in our sufferings. Glorify Him in His comforting Spirit. Glorify Him by seeking and obeying His perfect will. All that is within us must glorify this God.

One amazing thing is that, when we fail to obey Him, He also knows how to save us. He gives us second chances. He makes things work together, because He loves us way too deep that we are left with nothing but complete wonder.

With this God, how can we ask for more? What can we do in exchange? Nothing is enough, but His grace is sufficient. We could only offer our lives: a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him. His perfect will is full of favor that we could only stand amazed with His love. He is the treasure inside this body formed out of dust. So let this earthen vessel glorify the God of perfection.

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (Psalm 103:1 NIV)

Thank You, Father, for loving me.

Old Enough

Father, I am now twenty-two. And from this point of view, I couldn't believe I have lived this long, yet I have kept only fragments of memories for the past years. I have treasured scenes that keep me smiling up to now, but also, I have hidden inside painful things that still make me cry. But above all these, I am consciously aware that all through out my life, You were there. You are still here.

In the past, I have pretended to be older. Though young by age, I have gone through things I never thought I would experience that early. I was hurt, hit, bruised, in ways no one could ever imagine. You shook me to the core. You broke me in all my self-centeredness. You showed me things way too bright and way too dark for me to comprehend, but still You helped me. You had a purpose. And now, I am twenty-two. Old enough to know who I am.

I am mature enough to decide: I will follow You wherever You go. I will walk with You. No matter what happens, I will seek You in all of Your holiness.

I am strong enough to be here: to stand firm in what You have instructed me to do. To stay focused on You and refusing to look at the people around me. And whenever I feel weak, You will always be my strength.

I am wise enough to choose: Your will instead of my own. To bow down in complete surrender. To realize that without You, I can do nothing. To choose life, to choose You.

I am old enough to say, "I love You, Abba Father." You are my world.You are my everything. I would die without You. I give You my heart, every beat, every hidden thing inside me. All is Yours.

Thank You for this life. Thank You for restoring my soul.

And as I spend more years with You, my cup will forever overflow, because You have been my strong Refuge. My only Portion in this life. You are my Treasure.

I love You, oh, how I love You so...

Forever Smitten by You

Indeed, You have seen me through. Tonight I remember the first time Nanay and Tatay brought me to You: I was a child, innocence evident, uncaring about the concerns of the world. I remember the first name I called You: El Shaddai. Our God Almighty. I remember the first time I danced before You, oblivious to what other people would say. I remember the first time I strummed the strings of my first guitar; whispering love songs only You could hear. I remember the first time my tears fell generously during my first real encounter with You.

I remember how You have captured me, and after all these years, Your love still amazes me. Yes, I have tried to find joy in other places, but never did I find the kind that is only found in You.

I guess our romance started the first time I understood the real meaning of the Cross. I fell in love, BIG TIME, since You revealed to me Your indescribable love. You were and You still are the same God I worship. I grew up, schooled, awarded--- You were there. I got curious, I was blinded, I got trapped--- You were my Rescuer. I was alone, I was broken, nobody wanted me--- You reminded me of how You opened Your arms as wide and as deep as Your love. My life was in complete ruin, but You did not hate me. You were patient. You waited for me to answer Your call. You were ready to embrace me once more, the time I was ready to turn to You.

For the last time, You restored my soul. You fed me with Your abundant love. I grew more and more hungry for You. I knew that I am beginning to know You again.

And You showed me Your glory. You blessed me. You told me who You are. You told me how You feel for me.

Who You are is something my human intellect cannot completely comprehend. Your love is something my heart cannot contain. And everyday, You show me more. You satisfy me with the fullness of Your life, and give me things I do not deserve.

I am forever smitten. You have done that to me, my Lord. You never intended to let me go. There is no turning back for us now, and I am well contented with that.

I want You to know that I love You. I will forever praise You. My heart will forever beat for You. My whole life will glorify You. Will You take a look inside of me? All that is alive within me worship You. My world turns and turns around You. My life is meaningless without You. You, who made my life new. You, who provided peace and joy. You who saved me from myself.

 As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1 NIV

I will be forever thirsty for You, Abba Father.


Forever Smitten,

Your daughter