TREK WITH HIM

We have learned from the previous chapter that in whatever we do, we should scrutinize every experience by asking what does the Lord want me to do in such situation? As we continue, I will bring you to my other experience with the LORD. This is about a trek during my law school days. I consider this as very important activity that happened in my life.

August 9, 2009 is a date to consider that I made myself proud. I led the group to praying not in the prayer meeting, not in the church, not in a small group discussion, not in a seminar, not in my own prayer time but in an activity with my fellow law classmates for a very heartbreaking, exciting yet breathtaking ala survivor nature trekking… Yes! This is not an uncomfortable harness that shackles us into hard labor…This is experiencing God’s faithfulness through a once in lifetime activity…

Imagine! I was the one chosen by the majority of my classmates to lead the group in prayer. This is really a good opportunity to bring people to GOD. This is one of prayers that has been answered by the LORD. This is not absurd!!! This is real!!! I prayed for this. This is just a very simple request to the Lord that I can be able to use the skill of praying for others. This is what God has bestowed on me…I consider this as a gift from the LORD- the gift of prayer. I want to be HIS instrument.

Law school is such a hard challenge for me. I can’t resist but to follow HIS will. Yes! As if I heard God saying “be a student again, study law”. This is His answer during my discernment - to proceed law school. Though it was hard for me because I have to stop teaching in a public school but this is what HE is saying after my discernment. During my prayer time everyday, He tells me to be confident and be faithful to HIM. Everyday I spend time with the Lord. I really reserved at least an hour for HIM.  He is good to me that’s why I need to be good to Him as well. Doing beyond my limits is what I need to do to experience His faithfulness. With all my strength, it is my desire to obey HIM. Leading a prayer is one of the things that He asks me to do.

After leading my classmates in a prayer, I felt the unworthiness in me. The temptations of the devil were within me, the problem in speaking from my own dialect to a foreign one and the shyness in praying with a Judge and intelligent people. However, these did not stop me… I stepped forward and said I can Pray because I know that angels in heaven would be so happy - not only angels but OUR FATHER Himself.

This is basically my focus, “How could I glorify GOD everyday?”  And it was answered then. Can you feel what I felt when I do the prayer? I am Fulfilled!!! Wow, really great!! It’s like I live with the fullness of life. God is really working on me at that time.

During the trek, many of my classmates were injured. Almost all of us were tired but many have seen the beauty of the creation of GOD. The simplest of life is what I have imagined…there’s the sound of the water current, the splash of the waterfalls, the chirping of birds, and the songs of the wind. Right, then and there was the cooperation of my classmates. Many helped each other, held hands just to reach the same purpose. The mountaineers, who were with us, gave us suggestions on how to be safe from the boulders we’ve passed, the signs so that we won’t get lost and the techniques to be done so that we won’t be carried away by the current. The rope helped us as well to keep us safe.  That scene helped me to imagine the importance of every creation, you, me and the things surround us. God is really good!! Worthy of our praise!!

        We also experienced the generosity of one of my classmates. We were able to ride a Dum truck. It was a fun and exciting experience when I heard the shouts and laughter as we traveled the long and scary road, going up and down and down and up… as if we were riding on a ferries wheel or a roller coaster.

While we’re on our way to the falls, one of my sleepers was carried away by the water current. I was trying to figure out the use of the other pair. If I keep the other one alone, how could I use it. So, I just threw the other one to the water hoping that somebody will see the pair of my sleepers and use it. Sounds very familiar? It was Jose Rizal’s act during his younger years.

        That time, I walked barefoot. I humbled myself to walk on the stones as well as the thorns of the weeds in that place. I was able to experience the life of other Filipinos without having sleepers, working in the mountains having nothing on their feet. Yes! It was really tired. My other classmates wanted to help me. They are trying to be of service to others by asking question if I am okay without sleepers. I chose not to wear anything, walking for two hours and more. This was a choice! My prerogative in order to find out what is it to walk barefoot on the mountains. I am lucky I experienced it!

        I could remember how Jesus walked barefoot while carrying the cross, the mocked and the whipped of the soldiers as well as the accusations against Him which were not true- not against the laws of  HIS FATHER, the one who sent HIM. Jesus accepted these things that happened to HIM. In order that we will be saved and in order to  show HIS unconditional love  to us !!!  GOD loves you everyday!