Reposting this sharing that I have submitted to CFC-FFL Fliq Media. This was featured in one of the sharing walls of WSC 2014.
“
I’m Okay, I’m good.
I pray, I do good things to others.
My life is beautiful! I am lucky!
”
These were my statements all my life back then… Life before getting to know Christ deeper was actually satisfactory and typical. I go to mass, I pray the rosary, do novena and indeed I was a regular Sunday Christian. All the aspects of my life were pretty in good shape; a great loving family, an amazing set of friends back home, finished school, able to go abroad and have an instant job in Abu Dhabi because of my cousin. (Actually GG na lang ang kulang, but I wasn’t thinking of that by then (2008). Although I thought I’ve been a worthy Christian, thinking I am lucky – – – I would say that I have become a better one when I encountered Christ through the CFC-FFL community. This drastically made me claim that I am not lucky; instead I am BLESSED!
Flashback 2008: When a fellow SFL invited me for CLS and while not sure of what to expect, I was receptive of the invitation. Over the years of being a member, then became a servant and now called to a married life in CFL, I have encountered the Creator day in and day out. When all I consider was about my family and myself – this instance of knowing God permitted me to reflect who I am to other people and of my personal relationship with Him.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I recognized that I was not only called to be an OFW to help my parents, but I am called to be of service to God.Loving Him has taken me to loving His people as well. Life outside our country is never easy; we face different challenging and difficult people however when we are aware of God’s purpose in our life, we must trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways let us submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The five (5) years in SFL have equipped me and Darrelle (my husband – whom I’ve met inside the community too) to the next level. We’re now in our 3rdyear in the CFL ministry and a week ago, we’ve attended MER 2. Alongside this retreat comes a re-affirmation that indeed we are so blessed to be a part of this community! Some have pride, most couples don’t seek help… keeping issues to themselves and do not even discuss about the essential topics of being a Christian couple, but that’s the beauty of a community like ours. The teachings, household meetings and other sessions with our brethren are an encounter with Christ.
Of course community life is not a bed of roses; but in our 8 years (and counting) we’ve learned to look past through the “human being” state of our brethren and instead look at Jesus alone. I’ve met the closest friends that you could freely discuss about Christian life that never goes awkward when opened to non-community people and a second family through our households inside this beautiful community.
I have personally made 1 Corinthians 16:14one of my life verse: “Do all things in Love”. May I be able to please God in all things that I do for the rest of my life and finally, #InMyHeart, I “was” lucky; I “AM” BLESSED!
JM Bacus-Chavez | SFL 2009-2014 – CFL 2014-Present