Colossians 1: 16 (NET) For all things in heaven and on earth were created by him--all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers--all things were created through him and for him.
It's all about God. Our purpose of existence was never about us. Stop asking about what "I" want. Look away from the mirror and instead focus on God.
I've been struggling about what my purpose is, about what I'm supposed to do with the rest of my life. It looked like everyone else had it going except for me. They had jobs, businesses, income, cars, houses, children, vacations...while I had to struggle for jeepney fare. Not that I resented my circumstances, but I could not help but wonder what I had done wrong to be stuck in a rut.
I felt insignificant. I felt I had less ambition or drive because other people seem to be moving faster than me. They can easily leave their old life and family concerns, make modern choices, and pursue their dreams. Meanwhile, I am forever tethered to the responsibility of being a daughter, sister, niece to even take a tentative step towards "freedom". Freedom for me was living on my own, just catering to myself, not having to worry about anybody else. Come to think of it, I was actually yearning for a selfish life.
My interpretation of "living an abundant life" was living according to how I want to live. God was somewhere in the perimeters of that life. Someone I say Thank You to when I receive a blessing and someone I demand to take my problems away when the situation's beyond my control. That had been the extent of God's role in my life--more or less. I simply did not consider that my life was not about me.
I now understand why, when Adam and Eve was created, they lived without clothes. There was absolutely no need for peripherals. It was all about God. There was no need for structures, luxuries, ambition because God was already there. He was all they need and they were created to simply worship Him.
Nowadays, our devotion time with God can be easily distracted by minor things: looking for the right pen to write your journal, the car honking outside your window, the dripping faucet you can see at the corner of your eye. If we stripped it all down to nothing, there's just you and God. And if you do not consider your self, your needs and your wants, then there's only God, creator of heaven and earth.
I have spent a lifetime looking for a "happily ever after"--a fantastical time when I get what I want--and have ended up getting nothing close to the fantasy. I am stripped down to nothing. All I have is God now.
It's all about God. Our purpose of existence was never about us. Stop asking about what "I" want. Look away from the mirror and instead focus on God.
I've been struggling about what my purpose is, about what I'm supposed to do with the rest of my life. It looked like everyone else had it going except for me. They had jobs, businesses, income, cars, houses, children, vacations...while I had to struggle for jeepney fare. Not that I resented my circumstances, but I could not help but wonder what I had done wrong to be stuck in a rut.
I felt insignificant. I felt I had less ambition or drive because other people seem to be moving faster than me. They can easily leave their old life and family concerns, make modern choices, and pursue their dreams. Meanwhile, I am forever tethered to the responsibility of being a daughter, sister, niece to even take a tentative step towards "freedom". Freedom for me was living on my own, just catering to myself, not having to worry about anybody else. Come to think of it, I was actually yearning for a selfish life.
My interpretation of "living an abundant life" was living according to how I want to live. God was somewhere in the perimeters of that life. Someone I say Thank You to when I receive a blessing and someone I demand to take my problems away when the situation's beyond my control. That had been the extent of God's role in my life--more or less. I simply did not consider that my life was not about me.
I now understand why, when Adam and Eve was created, they lived without clothes. There was absolutely no need for peripherals. It was all about God. There was no need for structures, luxuries, ambition because God was already there. He was all they need and they were created to simply worship Him.
Nowadays, our devotion time with God can be easily distracted by minor things: looking for the right pen to write your journal, the car honking outside your window, the dripping faucet you can see at the corner of your eye. If we stripped it all down to nothing, there's just you and God. And if you do not consider your self, your needs and your wants, then there's only God, creator of heaven and earth.
I have spent a lifetime looking for a "happily ever after"--a fantastical time when I get what I want--and have ended up getting nothing close to the fantasy. I am stripped down to nothing. All I have is God now.
