Unapologetic

After not seeing each other for several months, my friend Pastor Ferdie “The Running Pastor” Cabiling called to invite me for breakfast on a Thursday morning. I never declined Ferdie’s invitations because he has always had my best interest at heart.

So, we met up at the nearby Starbucks Portico and when I got there he was in the thick of it, doing what he loved most, which was to mentor men and maybe even evangelize a guest or two.

Once the group broke up for the day, we started our breakfast, which was more of an appraisal or checkup on my status professionally as well as spiritually. That, of course, was his life’s calling and came as no surprise.

But after a while, Pastor Ferdie did his own version of “Straight Talk” and reminded me how my “social status” and being in media gave me access to many of the country’s powerful people who, in spite of their successful and colorful lives, were seeking purpose and meaning in their lives.

“It is an opportunity that not many have and should not be missed.” He emphasized that my straightforward manner and access to the corridors of power combined for a powerful opportunity to minister, care and help powerful men with real challenges and struggles.

I explained to Pastor Ferdie that people in power rarely open up. Many of them even put up acts or facades of strength because they think or imagine that in a “dog eat dog world,” any sign of softness or gentleness could ruin them.

In terms of religion and spirituality, most of them are nominal believers, practicing on a “need basis,” even hypocritical as they go to church on Sundays but live out double lives in the board room or another bedroom. It is a system many of them were raised in.

Ferdie argued that the stakes are far greater because these are leaders who could be an example, a model, as well as a testimony that you can obey God, be an even bigger, happier winner and make a difference in more lives than before.

As I recall that conversation, the last word that stuck in my mind was “be unapologetic to share the word and your faith.” Two weeks later, Pastor Ferdie, who was 10 years my junior, died from a massive heart attack on the way to visit his elderly mother in Nueva Ecija.

It has been over a year now, but the words “be unapologetic” reverberate in my mind.

Like many people, I don’t take to rejection kindly. I worry that friends might label me as “religious” or judgmental. Even worse, I am simply embarrassed to unapologetically share the gospel. Who wants to be labeled a religious fanatic? That is the God-honest truth.

But it dawned upon me that a lot of people, even readers, have come to know me as someone who is not afraid to quote verses and phrases from the Bible. I have “prayed over” three presidents and led a four-year Bible study for one and privately gave biblical messages to very powerful individuals in Philippine society.

A number of CEOs and big bosses as well as powerful “dubious” characters already expect me to lead the prayers before a meal and often I pray for them before I leave. But I am never at ease or unapologetic talking about God.

As I thought about today’s topic, I realized that me talking about God, the Bible and an opportunity to change lives, all fall in the “positive” column or a whole set of good.

If people can talk about their politics and world view, why can’t I talk about God or the Bible? Is that really much worse than divisive doctrine, views that spew out hate, malice or reject social values?

With the world on the edge of a potential world war, nobody talks about calling the nation to prayer. Instead, the call is for impeachment, arrest and imprisonment of political enemies and electoral revolt against corrupt politicians or electric vehicles.

To be totally honest, I have one foot on the spiritual narrative and the other foot still feeling safe talking about politics and society, all in the interest of staying relevant. Ironically, when I look back at what topics really hit homeruns or went viral, they were about real life.

Talking about third spaces or places for Gen XYZ to study, meet up outside of school or home and where they could be themselves. The same group appreciated “Don’t blame Gen XYZ” because their actions are reactions to what we Boomers complained about life, work and family.

It is ironic that those who criticize media for perpetually generating negative or bad news also scoff or malign those who talk about God, about family values and civil responsibility.  Sadly, opinion leaders justify it all by saying “We give the public what they want.”

But is it really what the public wants? Are Filipinos really gluttons for negativity and psychological punishment?

In spite of the many imperfections of religion, even Catholicism, Filipinos were fervent believers in God, in Jesus Christ, Mary, in the Bible and above all, they were very prayerful. They were DEVOUT.

Is it a surprise then that in those years, decades and generations, the Philippines was a prosperous and progressive and disciplined nation? Why? Because we took home what we learned from God and church.

We can all have different religions and beliefs, but the question is do we adhere to and practice what we believe? Do we unapologetically live and breathe the practice of our faith? I don’t always get it right.

 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

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