Ten to Three Hundred Sixty-Five (Part 7)

It's way past my "official" first anniversary in New Zealand. Yet, I haven't given the final item for my reflective blog series which I started two weeks ago. I didn't know it could be daunting to think of an object that would encapsulate an experience that is so big, ever-present, all-knowing yet gentle and assuring in so many ways.

I am talking about experiencing God in a whole new way here in NZ.

#10: The BIBLE

Food for the eyes, the body, and the soul.

Along with my 'valuable' items such as my worn-out old rose netbook, wallet, mobile phone and passport, I made sure that my Bible is in my hand-carry luggage on my way to NZ. Never mind if I lose my checked-in bag full of clothes as long as I have that good book with me on my first night away from home. That is how important my relationship with God is to me. And I think I am doing myself a disservice if I don't include Him in giving meaning to my one year here in NZ.

To begin with, going to a different country where you don't know anyone at all is a step of faith in itself. I admire the courage of the millions of Filipinos who immigrated to seek 'better opportunities' for their families and themselves. This is like having a clean slate and a fresh new start. But we all know that not everyone gets to have clean and fresh endings as well. If statistics and countless stories about the plight of Filipino migrants are to be taken, more have actually become worse after leaving the country.

This is where the importance of having an active - rather than a passive - faith, which is rooted in a living and growing relationship with God comes in. I mean, if you are in a new place, far from the unwritten restrictions that come with home-grown relationships, this 'new-found' freedom may appear to you as a license to do anything you want without regard for your loved ones back home -- who knew you before you left. And believe me, in a first-world country like NZ, it is easy to get carried away.

While I take into account the values of discipline, hard work, determination, and all those good ingredients for success, I think it all still comes down to one's worldview: What and how you think becomes your destiny. Because really, how can you keep the excitement of the first few months burning until the end of the year unless you are holding firmly onto something beyond what you can see? If I believe that there is God and that humans are meant to take in the same virtues of God (such as love and respect) because they are created in God's image, then it will be seen in my daily actions and decisions. Now, I am not saying that everything about my one year here in NZ was blameless. But that whenever I am presented with situations that would go against that truth, which will eventually ruin me in the long run, I step back and go to the Word.

Best birthday gift for 2013: A praying family. :)

And that just gives me clarity of purpose for why I am here and even encouragement that will strengthen my resolve to finish what I started here successfully. Words like "No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame" (Psalm 25:3) or "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not need a thing" (Psalm 23:1) have been more than just Biblical verses but promises that have proven true in my life here.

Moreover, in my 365 days here, there were countless times that I just feel alone, despite having very good friends here (and granted that it is not readily obvious whenever I feel sad). The Word of God has been a source of comfort and security that no amount of shopping or exploring or endless eating/chatting with friends can give. Because really, it can get tiring. And there are times that you would just want to retreat and be at peace with yourself. But in a gloomy, overcast world that is Wellington, it is hard to just be alone. Various thoughts raging from silly to scary can come into your head. So what do I feed my mind with during those moments that I need to be quiet? Yep, the Word of God.

So as I bring this series to a close, I choose to give back all the glory to Him who has made my dreams come true. I choose to thank Him for bringing me here and for sustaining me for 365 days and more. I choose to recognize Him, for in those numerous moments that my perceptions of realities, wherein I hinged my judgment of what is right and true for me, are questioned and that I doubt even myself, "every word of (Him) is flawless; He is the shield that I run to" (Proverbs 30:5).

Thank you, Father, for all good things come from you. 








"God's word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword..." - Hebrews 4:12
"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life." - Proverbs 4:23