Thankfulness
RAIN AND WIND are keeping people inside their homes. The typhoon is called Lando. No classes in Manila tomorrow, declares the local education department—a fact that leaves us, employees, salaried men and women of the Philippine workforce, wondering if we don't have to report to our offices as well. I spent the entire afternoon sleeping, relishing the bed-weather, hearing the howls of wind outside.
But work is grace, or so my friend Frances Bocobo, says, to remind her Facebook friends that God has appointed each one to a particular calling. Our work must reflect the beauty, majesty, and glory of God. As a result, we must do our work “heartily, not as unto men, but as unto God” (Colossians 3:23). How I have failed in this many times! I cherish friends who randomly remind me of solid biblical principles, even on social media. I am on duty tomorrow, regardless of whether work in the entire Metro Manila is cancelled or not. This, too, is a privilege.
In church this morning, we sang “By Faith,” one of my all-time favorite modern hymns.
It's written and sung by Keith and Kristy Getty. My heart swelled with joy and thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20). I am so forgetful that I need to be reminded—even jolted—of this truth once in a while. The song reminds us, Christians, that we are children of the promise—the promise that we will be with our Redeemer for the rest of our days, “glorifying and enjoying Him forever” (I am directly quoting from the Westminster Confession of Faith.) By faith we see the hand of God; by faith our fathers roamed the earth; by faith we are called to go to preach the good news to the world. What news? The fact that Jesus has atoned for our sins completely, finally, and wholly, and as a result, people who come to God in repentance and faith are offered the promise of a new life with Him.
God has blessed me immeasurably. This fact, too, I need to remind myself of, because I don't count my blessings and name them one by one, as a familiar Sunday school hymn goes. I have a roof over my head. I have food to eat. I have family and friends. I have books. I have enough strength. I am healthy. I am at peace. I have Christ. Best of all, I am Christ's and He is mine.
But work is grace, or so my friend Frances Bocobo, says, to remind her Facebook friends that God has appointed each one to a particular calling. Our work must reflect the beauty, majesty, and glory of God. As a result, we must do our work “heartily, not as unto men, but as unto God” (Colossians 3:23). How I have failed in this many times! I cherish friends who randomly remind me of solid biblical principles, even on social media. I am on duty tomorrow, regardless of whether work in the entire Metro Manila is cancelled or not. This, too, is a privilege.
In church this morning, we sang “By Faith,” one of my all-time favorite modern hymns.
It's written and sung by Keith and Kristy Getty. My heart swelled with joy and thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20). I am so forgetful that I need to be reminded—even jolted—of this truth once in a while. The song reminds us, Christians, that we are children of the promise—the promise that we will be with our Redeemer for the rest of our days, “glorifying and enjoying Him forever” (I am directly quoting from the Westminster Confession of Faith.) By faith we see the hand of God; by faith our fathers roamed the earth; by faith we are called to go to preach the good news to the world. What news? The fact that Jesus has atoned for our sins completely, finally, and wholly, and as a result, people who come to God in repentance and faith are offered the promise of a new life with Him.
God has blessed me immeasurably. This fact, too, I need to remind myself of, because I don't count my blessings and name them one by one, as a familiar Sunday school hymn goes. I have a roof over my head. I have food to eat. I have family and friends. I have books. I have enough strength. I am healthy. I am at peace. I have Christ. Best of all, I am Christ's and He is mine.
Labels: film/music
posted on October 18, 2015
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