God’s love will see us through

Typhoon Auring came so unexpectedly, so soon for this new year. Hitting the same areas and residents who have not yet recovered from Typhoon Pablo’s fury, the entry of this first 2013 typhoon raises more apprehension, more anxiety on the part of our needy. The unexpected weather disturbance has also caused stress and anxiety in the hearts of many others. Those who were rescued near the Dumaguete port are surely still shivering at their totally unexpected experience last January 3 with the strong waves brought by Auring.

With climate change, we can all expect stronger typhoons and unexpected weather disturbances from here on. We can certainly do our share to responsibly take better care of our earth and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. All of us, especially governments and industry, will have to take more responsible action to avert climate change soonest. Time is of the essence. We need to act together, in a united fashion, locally and globally NOW, not a moment later.

So much anxiety, so soon, during the first days of the new year. What to do amidst all these fears and worries about possible threats and dangers that this new year may bring?

Our needy have shown us the way, they have shown us how they have survived day after day after day. They continue to move on in faith and prayer. They continue to move on because of their love and belief in God and their love and commitment to their families.

During difficult moments of fear and anxiety, shall we all try to remember to let go and let God?

Easier said than done, you may argue. Yes, it is not easy to do at all but again, shall we all try to take that first step, that leap of faith? Then be prepared to see surprises in your life, in your days - allow God to surprise you through your days of faith and love!

Allow us also to share some reassuring passages from various readings about how to go through each day surrounded by fear, worries, and, anxiety.

According to Christmas Evans, “ faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word.” George Mueller reminds us that the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”

“I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” (Acts 27:25). Charles Kingsley reminds us that “all but God is changing day by day.”

Finally, allow us to share this January 4th reading taken from Our Daily Bread. Through daily fears, dangers, anxieties, God and His love will see us through.

We are reminded to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37). Here is the rest of the inspiring text:

“In a brief biography of St. Francis of Assisi, G. K. Chesterton begins with a glimpse into the heart of this unique and compassionate man born in the 12th century. Chesterton writes: “As St. Francis did not love humanity but men, so he did not love Christianity but Christ. The reader cannot even begin to see the sense of a story that may well seem to him a very wild one, until he understands that to this great mystic his religion was not a thing like a theory but a thing like a love-affair.”

When Jesus was asked to name the greatest command in the Law, He replied, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matt. 22:37-38). The questioner wanted to test Jesus, but the Lord answered him with the key element in pleasing God. First and foremost, our relationship with Him is a matter of the heart.

If we see God as a taskmaster and consider obedience to Him as a burden, then we have joined those of whom the Lord said, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4). The way of joy is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. (David  McCasland)

Oh, help me, Lord, to take by grace divine, Yet more and more of that great love of Thine; That day by day my heart may give to Thee, A deeper love, and grow more constantly. (Mountain). Put Christ first and you’ll find a joy that lasts.”

On this 5th day of January, amidst uncertainties about what the new year and the following days will bring, let us all be reminded to put God’s love in our hearts to assure us always that God loves us best and knows what is best for us all. “ His Providence is starlit with Divine intents.” (Streams in the Desert, January 4 reading). 

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