Sustaining my relationship with JESUS

This month is quite a memorable moment of my life. Why? This is the month when I left the Philippine last year to continue my quest for higher learning in Northern Ireland. For the past months, I was able to cope up with the weather, the Irish accent and most of all the demand for my time in my daily university works as a research student. I visited a lot of places not only around the country but also the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, including my 4 weeks vacation in the US. I feel that it seems everything is fine and ok. But then, I realized today that I was wrong! I missed something which is the essence of everything – having a continuous and active relationship with Jesus. Yes, I go to Sunday mass and that’s it! I don’t have any interaction with other people within the community, except for Pinoys that I met after the service and visit them during parties. Ironically, I don’t have spiritual undertakings with the community which somehow strengthen my relationship with Jesus and see Him alive through other people’s lives. Jesus knows that I longed for a community, a community where I could involve myself spiritually and socially as well. My visit to the US last July (till August) was the answer to keeping the fire burning in my heart towards reviving and sustaining my relationship with Him. My beautiful cousin for almost 7 years that I haven’t seen her was instrumental to start my desire to reach out with other people. Surprisingly, she is not the cousin that I met before when we were in college. She is now a working mom with 2 healthy kids and a very kind husband. And most of all, she is very generous person who wants to share her blessings to her loved ones, including myself! Having that, she is blessed with everything for a comfortable life in California. And the funny thing is, we have in common – we love shopping!One day during our shopping escapade, she asked me where I want to go and I told her that I want to buy new pocket books. So we went (together with the kids) to a mall with a books section. I got two books written by my favorite author and I was surprised that she handed to me a copy of “Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life” written by Rick Warren. It is a best seller book released 3 years ago which become an inspiration for people who read this. Before I left the US last month, my cousin requested me to read this, by not only myself but with other people (2 or more) in 40 consecutive days! I attempted to read the few pages of the book, but I decided to follow what my cousin’s advice. I am back to Jordanstown (Belfast) and start for my second year in the university. This month is also a memorable time of my student life after I successfully passed the confirmation of my PhD and secured my future years of my research studies. And before the month ends, I think my cousin’s wish for me to read the book come true! Today I was able to attend a Christian group at the university and experienced the presence of God in the young people, and heard His voice saying, “feel at home”…Happily, I joined the community in praising, praying and singing … reminiscing my AIT days when I started my journey with Him. Meeting with young minds and hearts is somewhat an encouraging moment for me to start again my spiritual journey with the Lord. The Christian Union (or C U) at the Uni of Ulster (Jordanstown) through the students that I met today (Andrew, Stephanie, Andrew C, Cath, Lynda and many others) will serve my Christian community for the next few years of my stay in the university. Having the vision of the community, I will be able to GROW in the love of Jesus, be UNITED in God with the rest of the members, and to REACH OUT with other Christians, not only in the university but in Northern Ireland as a whole. A simple poem to reminds me of my journey with Jesus...

MY JOURNEY ...

Yesterday..

I don’t know where did I start

But sure, I’m going somewhere

A place where everyone’s wish to go

Determined myself to reach that far

To dream and explore –

Of what my heart’s desire!

           Today...

It seems every struggle is endless

Full of challenges along the race called – LIFE!

No matter what my mind dictates

Truly indeed a destiny to survive

            Tomorrow …

It seems I don’t know where to stop

It feels like a never-ending journey of soul searching

As a matter of choice of going anywhere

A choice that nobody’s can change

But it is all right – I can make it

to the journey of LIVING!

Comments

[Cheyenne Lyn]

Nice entry there. Haven't you realized that, as i've mentioned in my own Blogs, that there are no coincidences. I believe that everything happens for a reason and without us noticing that, God uses people more often than not our parents, relatives or friends and sometimes strangers or acquaintances as a tool to make us see things clearly. Goeienacht!