Si Jan Louenn L. Lumanta ay ipinanganak noong 3:15 ng hapon ng ika-5 ng Mayo taong 1987 sa Siyudad ng Dipolog, lalawigan ng Zamboanga del Norte. Ang kanyang mga magulang na sina Charles Pernia Lumanta at Adelfa Yap Labisig, bagamat kapwa mga inhinyero, ay nagmula lamang sa mahihirap na pamilya. Dagdag pa nito, maagang nagpakasal ang dalawa at nag-umpisang magpamilya. Ang kanyang ina ay dalawampu’t isang taong gulang ng ipinanganak si Jan. Ang kanyang ama naman ay dalawampu’t apat. Ganunpaman, ang kahirapan ay hindi naging hadlang upang palakihin nila ang kanilang panganay na anak na mayaman sa pagmamahal.
Ang pamilyang Lumanta ay “lumad” o “native” na taga-Dipolog. Ayon sa ginawang pag-aaral ng pamilya, ang kanuno-nunuan na mga Lumanta ay may dugong bughaw sa tribo ng mga Subanen sa Zamboanga del Norte. Ang mga Labisig ay “lumad” din na taga-Zamboanga del Norte. Ang lola naman ni Jan sa panig ng kanyang tatay ay galing sa tanyag na pamilyang Lecaros sa Gasan, Marinduque. Ang apilyedong Pernia naman ay nagmula sa Bohol
Makalipas ang dalawang buwan, si Jan ay bininyagan sa Katedral ng Mahal na Birhen ng Santo Rosario sa Dipolog. Dito unang ipinagkaloob ng kanyang mga magulang si Jan sa Diyos. Ito ay tanda rin ng kanilang labis na pagpapasalamat sa pagkakaroon nila ng pogi at mala-anghel na anak. Ika-4 noon ng Hulyo ng taon ding 1987, na sa kalendaryo ng mga Intsik ay Taon ng Kuneho. Ang nagbinyag sa kanya ay si Reberendo Padre Anacleto Pellano. Ito ang unang engkuwentro ni Jan sa isang pari. Ang paring iyon ay nagulat sa kakaibang pangalan at nagkomento pa nga na parang katunog daw ng “loin” ng baboy. Ayon sa nanay ni Jan, ang pangalan daw na “Louenn” ay galing sa salitang “lowen” na nakita niya sa “footnote” ng isang nobela. Hindi niya alam ang kahulugan nito. Nagandahan lamang siya sa salitang ito kaya ipinangalan niya ito sa kanyang anak. Binago nga lang niya ang baybay. Naging uso rin noon ang pagpapangalan sa mga bata ng dalawang pangalan. Karl Louenn sana ang pangalang ibibigay. Subalit, sa kagustuhan din ng nanay na may kapangalan itong santo, naisipan nito si San Juan Bautista—ang santong naghanda sa puso ng mga tao at nagbigay ng daan para sa pagdating ng Mesiyas. Kaya ibinigay nito ang pangalang “Jan”. Ang pangalang “John” o “Jan” ay nangangahulugang “Ang Diyos ay Mapagpala”. Ang pangalan o salitang “Louenn’ ay walang kahulugan. Kaya si Jan na lang ang nagbigay nito ng angkop na kahulugan: ang mapagmahal.
Si Jan ay nagkaroon ng isang kapatid na babae isang taon mahigit makalipas siyang ipinanganak. Ang pangalan ng kanyang kapatid ay Giselle Rose. Si Giselle Rose sa kasalukuyan ay isang estudyante ng nursing sa isang kolehiyo sa Dipolog. Ang kapatid niyang ito, bagamat masungit, ay palihim ngunit tunay nga namang humahanga sa kanyang mabait at matalinong kuya na nagpakita sa kanya ng tunay na pagmamahal ng isang nakakatandang kapatid.
Tatlong taong gulang si Jan ng kanyang masumpungan ang kagandahan ng Santa Misa—ang sakramento ng Simbahang Katolika na kanyang sinasampalatayanan na nagbibigay ng katawan at dugo ni Kristo. Dito rin unang umusbong sa puso ni Jan ang bokasyon sa pagpapari. Sa mga panahong iyon, habang ang ibang mga bata ay nagtatakbuhan at naglalaro ng giyera sa labas, si Jan ay nasa loob at nagmimisa-misa. Gamit ay kaunting Marie Biscuits at Coke, at suot-suot ay ang t-shirt ng kanyang lolo, siya ay nagmimisa-misa kasama ang kanyang kapatid. Kapansin-pansin rin sa napakaraming litrato noong kabataan ni Jan ang palagian nitong paghawak ng mikropono. Ito marahil ay isang senyales kung magiging ano siya sa hinaharap—isang madaldal na tao.
Lumaki si Jan sa isang “extended” na pamilya na nakatira sa iisang bubong. Dahil dito napalapit si Jan ng masyado sa kanyang lolo at lola sa panig ng kanyang tatay. Namulat si Jan nang natutulog sa tabi ng kanyang lolo at lola. Ito ay nagsarili lamang noong ito ay nasa second year hayskul na. Ang kanyang lola, na si Ginang Rosario Lumanta, ang unang nagdala nito sa paaralan sapagkat ito’y isang titser at naging prinsipal sa elementarya. Lagi niyang isinasama si Jan sa paaralan. Nagkaroon pa nga ng koleksyon ang mabuting lola ng mga “drawings” ni Jan na pawang mga larawan ng mga Santo, ni Kristo, at ng mga pari. Bagamat mas natutuwa sa kanyang pagmimisa-misa, si Jan din naman ay nakahiligan din noon na maglaro ng basketbol, taguan, habulan, patintero, at teks.
Matapos nitong tapusin ang kanyang Kinder 1 at Kinder 2, si Jan ay tumuntong sa Unang Baitang noong taong 1994. Siya ay nag-aral sa Paaralang Halimbawang Panaguyod ng Dipolog (Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School). Tumanggap siya ng Unang Karangalan mula Unang Baitang hanggang Ikaanim na Baitang. Nagtapos siya bilang “Valedictorian” ng paaralang ito noong taong 2000. Madalas naging pambato si Jan sa mga paligsahan sa pagtula at balagtasan. Ang lola nito ay isang Filipino titser kaya madalas din itong nananalo sa mga paligsahan. Nakahiligan din ni Jan ang pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas noong siya ay nasa elementarya. Nagkampeon siya sa District, Division at Regional Super Quiz Bee sa kategoryang Philippine History at Culture. Nakakuha lamang siya ikalimang puwesto sa National Level na ginanap sa Subic.
Bagamat napanatili ni Jan ang kanyang “Honors” hanggang hayskul, naging kontrobersyal ang hindi nito pagtapos bilang “Valedictorian” sa Mataas na Paaralang Pambansa ng Zamboanga del Norte (Zamboanga del Norte National High School). Si Jan ay nakilala bilang tagapagtanggol ng mga naaaping estudyante habang ito ay nasa Student Government. Naging Governor ito noong ito’y nasa Unang Taon, nahalal muli bilang Governor noong Ikalawang Taon, Vice President noong Ikatlong Taon at President noong ikaapat na taon. Nahalal din ito ng dalawang beses bilang President ng Student Government Federation ng Dipolog. Pinili rin ito bilang pangulo ng Division at Regional Editor’s Guild, Interact Club of Dipolog ng Rotary Club, at ng Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs Dipolog Chapter. Noong ito ay President ng Student Government, nagpatayo siya sa tulong ng lokal na pamahalaan at mga donasyon ng isang basketball court sa Campus 2 ng nasabing paaralan. Nagtayo din ito ng mga programa laban sa droga at paninigarilyo sa loob ng paaralan. Nagbigay rin ito ng karagdagang mga libro, magazine, at bookstand sa dalawang library ng paaralan. Ipinaglaban nito ang pagkakaroon ng Intramural Meet laban sa prinsipal nila na nagpahinto nito dalawang taon na ang lumipas. Sa kanyang pamumuno, ipinaglaban niya ang mga estudyanteng minamarkahan ng zero sa tuwing may exam kapag nagkataon na ito’y wala sa klase gawa ng ito’y may sinasalihang paligsahan o seminar. Ito’y umabot sa opisina ng kalihim ng edukasyon na ikinahiya ng mga gurong na-involve. Ganunpaman, maraming natutunan si Jan sa karanasang ito. Dahil sa mga karanasang ito ay ipinagkaloob ng Regional Office ng DepEd kay Jan ang isang award: Most Outstanding Student Government Officer of Region IX.
Nakakapagod para kay Jan ang pagsali sa iba’t ibang gawaing pampaaralan gaya ng mga kontest at mga seminar.. Mayabang man pakinggan pero wala siyang maggawa sa ngalan ng paglilingkod at pagbibigay karangalan. Siya rin ang napipiling kontestant sa mga patimpalak sa kasaysayan noon. Ito ang nakakakuha ng unang gantimpala sa mga ganoong klaseng patimpalak. Siya rin madalas nakukuha sa mga Science Fairs- patimpalak sa paggawa ng mga investigatory project. Ang kanyang investigatory project noong first year hayskul (Electromagnetic Field: Cyanobacteria Algae Cell Multiplier) at noong third year hayskul (Microorganisms in Bamboo: Agent in Pig farm Odor Control and Elimination) ay kapwa nanalo sa Regional Science Fairs at pawang nag-qualify sa National Science Fairs na ginanap sa UP Diliman noon. Bukod pa roon, siya ay nag-qualify ng apat na beses sa National Schools Press Conference (mula First Year hanggang Fourth Year) na ginanap sa Dagupan City, General Santos City, Cebu City, at Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna, tinanggap niya ang isang gantimpala bilang isa sa mga Most Outstanding Student Journalist of the Philippines.
Habang nasa hayskul ay nilinang din ni Jan ang kanyang talento sa musika. Si Jan ay isang musikero. Mahilig siyang kumanta sa karaoke o di kaya gamit ang kanyang gitara. Ang isang koro na kanyang sinalihan noong siya ay nasa second year ay nanalo ng ikalawang puwesto sa isang international competition. Sa hayskul, miyembro siya ng school band. Gamit niya sa bandang ito ay isang alto saxophone. Marunong siyang tumugtog ng kahit anong uri ng saxophone, flute, at glockenspiel.
Kung aktibo si Jan sa paaralan, mas aktibo siya sa Simbahan. Grade 4 ng siya ay maging isang Sakristan. Naging Lector din siya noong siya ay Grade 5. Nag-aral din siya ng Layman’s Biblical Theology Course na bigay ng parokya at naging miyembro ng Catholic Faith Defenders, Inc., Siya rin ay miyembro ng Youth for Christ, Legion of Mary, Confraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes, at Apostleship of Prayer.
Nang siya ay magtapos ng hayskul, pinili nitong mag-aral ng kolehiyo sa UP Los Baños sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. Dito, naging miyembro siya ng Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society. Dito rin niya nakilala ang itinuturing na niya bilang isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng tao sa kanyang buhay, ang kanyang nag-iisang bestfriend na si Kirsty Angelie Verceluz.
Habang nasa kolehiyo ay ipinagpatuloy ni Jan ang kanyang paglilingkod sa simbahan. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pagiging sakristan sa Parokya ni Sta. Teresa ng Batang Hesus, ang parokyang nakabase sa UPLB. Sa kasalukuyan ay naglilingkod din si Jan bilang President at Coordinator ng Parish Youth Ministry. Naniniwala si Jan sa sinabi ni Rizal na ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan. Sa ganoong pananaw rin niya tinitingnan ang kabataan bilang pag-asa ng Simbahan. Kung magiging ano si Jan sa kinabukasan ay kasaysayan na ang maghuhusga.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Dipolog's Top of the World
(I wrote this essay when I was 13 years old. This placed Second during the Tourism Week 2000 Essay Writing Contest.)
The heart of Zamboanga del Norte beats in the Orchid City of Dipolog: a city of colorful history and a breath-taking geaography which as miraculously created by the indefatigable minds of the Dipolognon with the help of its Patron Saints Mary of the Most Holy Rosary and Vincent ferrer, and of course of the Divine Providence.
“Stepping on a stairway to heaven”.
This may sound like a song but believe it that this is a reality in the Orchid City of Dipolog.
The stairway that I want to unfold before your eyes is the 3003 steps of Mount Linabo, Dipolog City. This is just one of the fruits crafted by the creative minds of the Dipolognons. This is just one of the answered prayers of the people of Dipolog to have a place of meditation, and a beautiful place to see the whole view of our beloved city, where we shout our first cry. These steps are intentionally made by the vigorous and hard-working hands of the Dipolognons to bring the public to the wonders that lie on the top of the mountain. It would take a couple of hours to finish our journey.
At first we would feel that it is quite difficult to start our journey. But the plants, the colorful flowers, the gigantic trees that you could see on your way to the top of the mountain would take away your problems and sorrows. The scenic beauty of the view of the sister cities of Dipolog and Dapitan that seems to roll your eyes in awe, makes you feel that you are on the top of the world.
The fresh air and the clouds that gently touch your skin make you feel that you are in paradise where the sounds of the birds seem to be angels singing. It is ideal for our activities during Lenten season.
During Holy Week, devotees of the Jesus of Nazareth from the different towns of the province of Zamboanga del Norte go there. It is because Mount Linabo is also the best place for reflections, meditations, and prayers that would commemorate the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ on his way to Mount Calvary. On the way to the top of the mountain you could see the fourteen stations of the cross for the Holy Week.
“How nice to be there again!”
That’s the shout of those who have gone there already. And when the time comes when I also went there, that’s also what I shouted and boasted about with my friends.
So, this coming Holy Week, people are all welcome to visit Dipolog City and see the beautiful Mount Linabo and all the wonders of the City of Dipolog. All tourists are invited to see. According to our geography, Dipolog is a beautiful city.
The heart of Zamboanga del Norte beats in the Orchid City of Dipolog: a city of colorful history and a breath-taking geaography which as miraculously created by the indefatigable minds of the Dipolognon with the help of its Patron Saints Mary of the Most Holy Rosary and Vincent ferrer, and of course of the Divine Providence.
“Stepping on a stairway to heaven”.
This may sound like a song but believe it that this is a reality in the Orchid City of Dipolog.
The stairway that I want to unfold before your eyes is the 3003 steps of Mount Linabo, Dipolog City. This is just one of the fruits crafted by the creative minds of the Dipolognons. This is just one of the answered prayers of the people of Dipolog to have a place of meditation, and a beautiful place to see the whole view of our beloved city, where we shout our first cry. These steps are intentionally made by the vigorous and hard-working hands of the Dipolognons to bring the public to the wonders that lie on the top of the mountain. It would take a couple of hours to finish our journey.
At first we would feel that it is quite difficult to start our journey. But the plants, the colorful flowers, the gigantic trees that you could see on your way to the top of the mountain would take away your problems and sorrows. The scenic beauty of the view of the sister cities of Dipolog and Dapitan that seems to roll your eyes in awe, makes you feel that you are on the top of the world.
The fresh air and the clouds that gently touch your skin make you feel that you are in paradise where the sounds of the birds seem to be angels singing. It is ideal for our activities during Lenten season.
During Holy Week, devotees of the Jesus of Nazareth from the different towns of the province of Zamboanga del Norte go there. It is because Mount Linabo is also the best place for reflections, meditations, and prayers that would commemorate the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ on his way to Mount Calvary. On the way to the top of the mountain you could see the fourteen stations of the cross for the Holy Week.
“How nice to be there again!”
That’s the shout of those who have gone there already. And when the time comes when I also went there, that’s also what I shouted and boasted about with my friends.
So, this coming Holy Week, people are all welcome to visit Dipolog City and see the beautiful Mount Linabo and all the wonders of the City of Dipolog. All tourists are invited to see. According to our geography, Dipolog is a beautiful city.
Reflections on the Book of Job
(I made this reflection during the time when my prayerful and wonderful mother is suffering with cancer of the lymph nodes.)
One of the so-called “wisdom” books in the Old Testament is the Book of Job. It is not a novel. It is a real story narrated in the Old Testament. It tells us how to remain faithful to God despite the many hardships in life.
There was once a rich man in the land of Uz named Job. He was a very rich man. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels and five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-donkeys, and many servants beside. But despite his richness, he was described a sound and honest person who feared God and shunned evil. He was just indeed. When we say “just”, that means “holy”.
Now this tells us something. Some would say that if you are a successful businessman, you are an unsuccessful Christian. Of course, not! With the life of Job, we can say that money and faith are two compatible things. You can be a successful entrepreneur yet a successful Christian also. God wants us to rule over the creatures of this world. Yet, one should remember that his purpose in life is not to become rich. But, to love God, be happy on earth, and attain eternal happiness in heaven.
But one may say that he is loving God but full of arrogance. That love is fake. An attaché case containing one million pesos cash is nothing if the money there is fake. Paper money must be authenticated. The same is true with our love for God. It must be authentic. And it must be shown through actions. It must be shown in times when it seems life is unbearable.
Now here comes Satan. The name “Satan” is not a proper name. It comes from Hebrew which means “adversary”, “kalaban”. The proper name is Lucifer which means bearer of light. One day, there was an executive council in heaven, and behold, Satan was there! But see, the Lord even made a “kumusta” to Satan. The Lord was kind to Satan. And Satan answered, “round the earth, roaming about”. See, Satan was a very busy man. He is around the world. He has business all-over the world. He has multinational or transnational operations. Believe it or not, he is beside you while reading this essay. From all over the world up to this moment there are obsessions, there are possessions. He is around. Yes, he is around. And he comes with pleasure. He prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
To get rid of him, we have holy water fonts at the entrance of the Church where we put our forefinger before making the Sign of the Cross. The lives of so many saints are packed with instances of heavenly protection and blessing secured through the reverent use of Holy Water. It is a sacramental in the Church. The Saints knew by faith, that the Holy Water is sanctified by the blessing of the Church and is a most effective aid in all conflicts with the powers of Hell, where Satan is the CEO.
Satan argued in front of God, that the person Job was not really faithful to God. Satan said that “Job was faithful because he had never experienced pain, suffering, trials, failures. He was rich. His life was very comfortable”. Satan was very witty indeed. He was angel of light before, remember.
And God said, “Ok, all he has is in your power, but keep your hands off this person. Spare his life”. And immediately Satan left the presence of God to do his business. “Aksyon agad”. See why many have come to be deceived by Satan and why there’s a sort of success in his works? Because he is very efficient. What he has to do, he does it quickly. He does things fixed immediately.
Then all of a sudden, Job lost all his possessions—all his sheep, all his camels, all his oxen, and mind you even his sons and daughters where all dead. But you know what Job did? Did he ask the Lord why? Did he make a litany of “why’s” to God? No! What did he do? He knelt to the ground and worshipped the Lord instead!
When this kind of things happens to us, what do we do. Some people stopped praying. Yes, some would talk to God. They would make the litany of “why’s”, why Lord why? But question, do we ask God why we are handsome? Do we ask God why are we talented? Do we ask God why we are that intelligent? No! Then why? Reason is, we only want good things. We only want successes. We do not include failure in our vocabulary so we are not prepared when it comes. And for sure it will come. The truth is, life is a mixture of successes and failures. Without failures, life would not be life at all.
Do we count our blessings? See, if we ask God why, we are making God accountable to us. If we are making Him accountable to us then who’s God now? Who’s superior now? People who are experiencing pains and failures and are asking God why are blinded people. God has no obligation to account.
How must we react to failures? We should react like Job. Bend our knees and pray. Without faith we cannot explain the meaning of our life. If you make heaven out of the things in this world, then that would be a hell for you. You will not be happy and in the process you will loose your sanity. The Lord has his plans. He is the one who sets the rules of the game.
When we believe in ourselves and remove God in our lives is what we call “egoism”. Why not believe in what God has told us that we are not meant for this world. God is telling us that enjoying life here on earth is not really very important what matters most is that we enjoy happiness in heaven, the happiness that is eternal. Maybe we cannot understand this. Of course we want to enjoy life here on earth, but, God is wiser. His intelligence is the grasp of our intelligence, our intellect. Thus, we must enrich ourselves spiritually. Imitate Job. Kneel down with nothing. When we were born, we have no cash. Likewise, we also leave this world with nothing.
Sometimes, during the times when we have material disadvantage, it is also the time we begin to think deeply. Come to think of it, deep reflections and realizations come not when we are in abundance and enjoying life but when we are bombarded with trials and experiencing loneliness.
Job remained faithful despite the many problems in his life. You see when we have problems some of us would forget God and doubt his existence. Sadly, some would resort to doing evil just to forget their problems. However, when we do bad things, we do not destroy God. We destroy ourselves instead.
Faith is important. We should see things in the world with faith. We should see the problems in this life with faith. Let us stop asking ourselves when we have problems, “have I done anything wrong?” Even Jesus died on the cross. Did he do anything wrong?
After Job successfully passed the test God gave him, God rewarded him. God blessed Job’s latter days much more than his early ones. He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys. God blessed him with seven sons and three beautiful daughters. Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. He died old and full of years. God indeed rewards his faithful servant.
One of the so-called “wisdom” books in the Old Testament is the Book of Job. It is not a novel. It is a real story narrated in the Old Testament. It tells us how to remain faithful to God despite the many hardships in life.
There was once a rich man in the land of Uz named Job. He was a very rich man. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels and five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-donkeys, and many servants beside. But despite his richness, he was described a sound and honest person who feared God and shunned evil. He was just indeed. When we say “just”, that means “holy”.
Now this tells us something. Some would say that if you are a successful businessman, you are an unsuccessful Christian. Of course, not! With the life of Job, we can say that money and faith are two compatible things. You can be a successful entrepreneur yet a successful Christian also. God wants us to rule over the creatures of this world. Yet, one should remember that his purpose in life is not to become rich. But, to love God, be happy on earth, and attain eternal happiness in heaven.
But one may say that he is loving God but full of arrogance. That love is fake. An attaché case containing one million pesos cash is nothing if the money there is fake. Paper money must be authenticated. The same is true with our love for God. It must be authentic. And it must be shown through actions. It must be shown in times when it seems life is unbearable.
Now here comes Satan. The name “Satan” is not a proper name. It comes from Hebrew which means “adversary”, “kalaban”. The proper name is Lucifer which means bearer of light. One day, there was an executive council in heaven, and behold, Satan was there! But see, the Lord even made a “kumusta” to Satan. The Lord was kind to Satan. And Satan answered, “round the earth, roaming about”. See, Satan was a very busy man. He is around the world. He has business all-over the world. He has multinational or transnational operations. Believe it or not, he is beside you while reading this essay. From all over the world up to this moment there are obsessions, there are possessions. He is around. Yes, he is around. And he comes with pleasure. He prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
To get rid of him, we have holy water fonts at the entrance of the Church where we put our forefinger before making the Sign of the Cross. The lives of so many saints are packed with instances of heavenly protection and blessing secured through the reverent use of Holy Water. It is a sacramental in the Church. The Saints knew by faith, that the Holy Water is sanctified by the blessing of the Church and is a most effective aid in all conflicts with the powers of Hell, where Satan is the CEO.
Satan argued in front of God, that the person Job was not really faithful to God. Satan said that “Job was faithful because he had never experienced pain, suffering, trials, failures. He was rich. His life was very comfortable”. Satan was very witty indeed. He was angel of light before, remember.
And God said, “Ok, all he has is in your power, but keep your hands off this person. Spare his life”. And immediately Satan left the presence of God to do his business. “Aksyon agad”. See why many have come to be deceived by Satan and why there’s a sort of success in his works? Because he is very efficient. What he has to do, he does it quickly. He does things fixed immediately.
Then all of a sudden, Job lost all his possessions—all his sheep, all his camels, all his oxen, and mind you even his sons and daughters where all dead. But you know what Job did? Did he ask the Lord why? Did he make a litany of “why’s” to God? No! What did he do? He knelt to the ground and worshipped the Lord instead!
When this kind of things happens to us, what do we do. Some people stopped praying. Yes, some would talk to God. They would make the litany of “why’s”, why Lord why? But question, do we ask God why we are handsome? Do we ask God why are we talented? Do we ask God why we are that intelligent? No! Then why? Reason is, we only want good things. We only want successes. We do not include failure in our vocabulary so we are not prepared when it comes. And for sure it will come. The truth is, life is a mixture of successes and failures. Without failures, life would not be life at all.
Do we count our blessings? See, if we ask God why, we are making God accountable to us. If we are making Him accountable to us then who’s God now? Who’s superior now? People who are experiencing pains and failures and are asking God why are blinded people. God has no obligation to account.
How must we react to failures? We should react like Job. Bend our knees and pray. Without faith we cannot explain the meaning of our life. If you make heaven out of the things in this world, then that would be a hell for you. You will not be happy and in the process you will loose your sanity. The Lord has his plans. He is the one who sets the rules of the game.
When we believe in ourselves and remove God in our lives is what we call “egoism”. Why not believe in what God has told us that we are not meant for this world. God is telling us that enjoying life here on earth is not really very important what matters most is that we enjoy happiness in heaven, the happiness that is eternal. Maybe we cannot understand this. Of course we want to enjoy life here on earth, but, God is wiser. His intelligence is the grasp of our intelligence, our intellect. Thus, we must enrich ourselves spiritually. Imitate Job. Kneel down with nothing. When we were born, we have no cash. Likewise, we also leave this world with nothing.
Sometimes, during the times when we have material disadvantage, it is also the time we begin to think deeply. Come to think of it, deep reflections and realizations come not when we are in abundance and enjoying life but when we are bombarded with trials and experiencing loneliness.
Job remained faithful despite the many problems in his life. You see when we have problems some of us would forget God and doubt his existence. Sadly, some would resort to doing evil just to forget their problems. However, when we do bad things, we do not destroy God. We destroy ourselves instead.
Faith is important. We should see things in the world with faith. We should see the problems in this life with faith. Let us stop asking ourselves when we have problems, “have I done anything wrong?” Even Jesus died on the cross. Did he do anything wrong?
After Job successfully passed the test God gave him, God rewarded him. God blessed Job’s latter days much more than his early ones. He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys. God blessed him with seven sons and three beautiful daughters. Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. He died old and full of years. God indeed rewards his faithful servant.
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