“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
I did not know why God allowed my husband and me to migrate to the US. I was content with our jobs and lifestyles in the Philippines. But I trusted God and accepted His will to move our family to New Jersey.
I did not know why God allowed my husband and me to migrate to the US. I was content with our jobs and lifestyles in the Philippines. But I trusted God and accepted His will to move our family to New Jersey.
I soon realized, after joining the BLD, that my love for music was God’s way of calling me into His fold. The last time I touched the piano was in my high school years. God used my stiffened fingers to play for a couple who led worship one Friday evening. It was nerve-racking and embarrassing. I did not do justice to a beautiful worship with all the off-keys I mistakenly played. But, with a forgiving heart, the worship leaders just smiled and said that if I tried harder, focused on God, and offered my best to Him, I would play beautiful music. After that, I started appreciating spiritual and religious songs. I forced myself to study, practice, and play worship songs gloriously, the way God would like to hear them. I believed that if I could touch and soften the heart of at least one soul through my musical ability, then I would have accomplished God’s purpose for me here on earth.
Praising God in my own time or with people in community became my avenue for spiritual growth. Unknowingly, as I strove to excel in praising God, I was able to develop other talents and skills that not only brought me closer to God, but also positively affected the spiritual lives of other people. Praising God became infectious. Since I could not contain the joy of being “born again” in spirit, I volunteered at encounters and retreats to help others feel and see Christ the way I did. Praising God allowed me to assist in building other BLD districts and form parish-based communities. It gave me opportunities to teach Praise, share my life, lead worship, pray for home-bound brethren, sing for patients in nursing homes, and feed homeless brothers in shelters.
Truly, the light of Christ had come into my world. Like a city set on a mountain, the flame that Christ lit in me could not be contained or left hidden. Who was I to let it die? Who was I not to share this gift?
Father God, might I always be a glimmer of hope for others to see Your great love. Amen.
Praising God in my own time or with people in community became my avenue for spiritual growth. Unknowingly, as I strove to excel in praising God, I was able to develop other talents and skills that not only brought me closer to God, but also positively affected the spiritual lives of other people. Praising God became infectious. Since I could not contain the joy of being “born again” in spirit, I volunteered at encounters and retreats to help others feel and see Christ the way I did. Praising God allowed me to assist in building other BLD districts and form parish-based communities. It gave me opportunities to teach Praise, share my life, lead worship, pray for home-bound brethren, sing for patients in nursing homes, and feed homeless brothers in shelters.
Truly, the light of Christ had come into my world. Like a city set on a mountain, the flame that Christ lit in me could not be contained or left hidden. Who was I to let it die? Who was I not to share this gift?
Father God, might I always be a glimmer of hope for others to see Your great love. Amen.