MANILA, Philippines - Twelve years ago I was diagnosed as having schizophrenia. I live with my sister who supports and takes care of me.
In 2005 I had a modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer, which fortunately has not recurred. Now in my twilight years, I also suffer from arthritis, diabetes and hypertension, which cause me myriad aches and pains that make life sometimes unbearable. Medications afford some relief. Because of my handicaps I am unable to do anything other than read, write, watch TV, crochet, and pray.
My being schizophrenic explains why I am not like others. I do not belong and I feel out of place with people. The missing ingredient is having a relationship with God, who is the Shepherd of our souls. He lifts the fallen, restores the wounded, and cares for the neglected.
On my birthday last year I was gifted by a priest friend with the pocketbook Pursuing Your Life Dream by Eastman Curtis, a preacher. At age 13, he was his mother’s worst nightmare but when he was 17 the lights finally came on and he realized that Jesus Christ loved him and had the best plans for him.
I read this book over and over again and my life was changed forever. Pursuing Your Life Dream is about realizing our life destiny. Eastman Curtis illustrates with passages from the Bible that God has a specific life dream or destiny for us, which if we pursue will bring us the ultimate fulfillment.
He enumerates seven questions to help us discover our life dream.
The first question is, what is our desire? It is all right to want things as long as they are in accord with God’s will. But we must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). God will grant us the desires of our heart if we delight in Him. We ask ourselves, what do we want to be, to have and to do most? If they are godly and legitimate, God will make us realize them.
The second question is, what is our passion or zeal for the Father’s house? What pushes us and lights our fire?
The third question is, what are our gifts and talents, abilities and inclinations that come naturally and make us do things well and easily, and make us realize our calling or vocation?
The fourth question is, is what we are doing working?
The fifth question is, what is the peace or the witness of the Holy Spirit in our spirit?
If it is the right thing to do, the Holy Spirit will tell us.
The sixth question is, what is your godly counsel? Godly counsel seeks what is good for the kingdom of God and not just good for someone personally.
The last question is, to what can we give our all?
God will work miracles and wonders to bring about your destiny once you know your dream. “As you do what God has given you to do, you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied.” (Joel 2:26)
Dare to do something new and different. If you want to have what you’ve never had, you have to do what you’ve never done before. Leave your comfort zone. Keep advancing. Don’t forfeit the big things God has for you for the safe things of which you are familiar.
Write down your dreams. There is something powerful about writing it down. It is amazing, but when you write it down and look at it every week, it keeps you focused and heading in the right direction. “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
You can change the course of your destiny by the words of your mouth. Jesus said that we will have whatever we say, so watch what you say.
We change our life course with our thoughts. We need to bring our thoughts under the control of the Holy Spirit and fill our minds with the truth of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit gave us the ability to bring every truth into captivity and to the obedience of Christ. Don’t let thought form a stronghold in your mind. You are the only one who can control your life. Thinking God’s thoughts can launch you into your destiny. In order to walk in victory, choose to focus on what’s good and right and noble and true.
Don’t focus on your weaknesses but think about the gifts God has given you. See yourself obtaining all that God has for you. God wants to get involved in your life.
Learn to start using your imagination for good. Don’t limit God. Continue to advance by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Destiny requires miracles. I am a co-worker with God. If we keep moving through the power of the Holy Spirit we can accomplish things that are beyond our wildest dreams. God’s part is to perform the miracles, our part is to believe. If we perform them on our own, we will not be able to do anything, but with God, anything is possible.
We need to stay dependent on God. We can do more when we work together with God. “With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Do not please men more than God or be caught up in your image. It does not matter how people perceive you. What matters is who and what you are before God. Be what God has called you to be. It will set you free. Choose to focus on that one thing God has given you to do, the do it with all your heart
Many people start out with the right motives and are headed in the right direction, but then they are hurt or offended and are diverted from their path. Choose not to be offended by insult or criticism.
Be faithful in all things. “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10). If you want God’s favor in your life, you have to be faithful.
If you are not faithful in even small things, you are likely to stagnate or even regress. God wants you to be faithful in using the gifts He has given you. It is not important how many talents God has given you, but what you do with these talents.
This week’s winner
Anastacia Lim, 74, finished philosophy and letters at UST. She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for more than 20 years, 10 of which she was head of the Medical Records Department, before retiring 26 years ago due to disability.