RICHER BY P210K
RICHER BY P210K
(Finding the Kingdom in our midst)
“Submit everything to me, and I will do the rest…”
Last year, 2011, as we equipped ourselves with the full armor of God after having experienced the fullness of life in Christ, I never expected that I will be heading to a big bout in my life.
It was on July 11, 2011, amidst the huge volume of my work load, when I realized a major lapse in monitoring my critical deadlines. This resulted into a huge amount under my direct responsibility. Thanks to my superiors for letting me handle the matter discretely and for giving me their trust and confidence.
It was the same time when we were at the final stage of the preparation for the Provincial Youth Conference of CFC Youth for Christ Laguna which we coordinated and conducted last July 30, 2011. Thanks to a dependable YFC Provincial Core Group. What aggravated my situation is the news about my brother needing major operation. Basically, it was the time when everything is set for us to radiate the faith and glorify God amidst the concerns that divide our attentions.
From July to August 2011, while we endeavor to pursue our service and keep on relying to God’s divine intervention, I was limited by so much emotional lapses to the extent of affecting my physical being. I simply avoided everything. But then I realize that I needed to act. The reminders of my family became my driving force to address my work related issue head-on. As such, by September 2011, I began to seek direction first by dealing with our client to extend the period for them to redeem their property because if they will be able to get back their property, I will no longer have to settle the required amount. I momentarily hoped for the best upon knowing that our client is a member of the Couples for Christ so that the matter was dealt with brothers-sisters relationship. In fact, I brought along my wife when we met to tackle the directions.
By October 2011, the direction that I hoped to pursue did not push through as our client failed to meet the requirements. As such, it was the time that I readied myself for the worse of paying a huge sum that would mean less for my family especially towards the holidays. Be that as it may, at the back of my mind, my pride kept dragging me why this had to happen and why would God let me face this problem. When my superior asked me the other options, I simply said, “I just don’t know.” It’s definitely a mystery. I may have some alternatives left but still none of them are basically 100% sure.
In our pastoral meeting with the Provincial Core of CFC YFC Laguna last November 5, 2011, my son being the new Provincial Youth Head led the worship. It was a very heartfelt worship I participated such that during the adoration, I heard God clearly telling me, “Son, submit everything to me now, and I will do the rest.” It was really a very clear message to me so that when the worship ended, I told my wife that I have accepted my fate and I will have to raise the required amount to settle.
Needless to say, the amount involved is P210,000.00. For a mere employee like me, the amount is so huge that it would definitely affect my family’s purse. From then on, we tried to raise the amount. By end of November, we were able to raise P100,000.00. Going back to God’s message to me, I thought that when He told me he will do the rest, He simply refers to the resources coming in. So I prayed unceasingly…
By December 2011, as I still need P110,000.00, I decided to file a conso-loan so I can settle the matter as the year ends. Unfortunately (or fortunately though), our office failed to confirm the loan within the allowed period of five-days. I was then advised to file again but I decided to do it by January 2012 as I am pre-occupied by our targets as we close the year.
While I and my wife were down with coughs and colds during the holidays, we celebrated our Christmas and New Year with utmost simplicity. Then came January 5, 2012, just when I am about to re-file my conso-loan, we received a note about a new revenue memorandum circular dated November 10, 2011 correcting or revoking their previous circular. In effect, the new memorandum cleared the way so that I need not pay P210,000.00. What a very loud… AMEN! I cried, I leap for joy… I called my wife… I thanked my superiors… I prayed… I praised God. AMEN.
I read the memo-circular four-times. As I noticed the date it was prepared and signed, it was then that I soon realized what God meant, “… I will do the rest.” At first, I thought that He will lead the way for the resources to come in. Perhaps, it was partly correct and I thank Him for that. But the mere fact that the memorandum is dated November 10, 2011, my God was actually referring to the signing of the memorandum. He talked to me on November 5 then the memo was signed on November 10. Amazing, indeed.
The new memo-circular is tailored-fit to provide much needed remedy to my situation. My God… our God is truly amazing.
I don’t have any ideas who are the people behind it. Moreso, I don’t know who may have benefitted from it. All I knew is that my God did it for me. So now, I feel I am richer by P210,000.00.
In my quiet time after we were able to close the matter by completing the documentation and submitting the same for clearance, I then realized that while I went through the agony from July 2011 to January 5, 2012, it was indeed a process of strengthening further our faith as a means of putting on the full armor of God. Thus, readying us to proclaim His Greatness.
It may have been an agony in the midst of our continuing service but I wish to focus more on the support I got from my family, especially from my May. The assurance that everything will be fine, the faith in me, the embrace I got, the willingness to tighten our belts further, the love for each other, the prayers from all over, the presence of our God in our midst. Not to mention the joy of serving in CFC Youth for Christ and in the company of the young. It was indeed experiencing the Kingdom of God. A taste of heaven here on earth. Have you?
One thing I realized in this experience and further as I read a book entitled, “The Good and Beautiful Life (Putting on the Character of Christ),” is that while we tend to experience agony in service, it was not solely intended just to test our limits. For all you know, amidst this agony is the heaven Christ has promised. In fact, Christ did come to invite us to the Kingdom right? And so, while the road to it is a big challenge, we sometimes do not realize that heaven is actually here with us. As we felt the agony, the heaven is in the midst of our family, our community. The Kingdom is here in our midst. It is just that sometimes we focus more on the agony so that we fail to realize, the Kingdom is indeed here with us. As such, it is not the trials but the heaven behind it.
Come to think of it. Christ indeed promised the Kingdom, but He never said when we will start to experience it. So it could begin now. Let us find the Kingdom of God here in our midst and be richer in Him. God be praised. (Butsch M. Borja, PCC, CFC YFC Laguna)
