My Essay for GYPCLA 2014 ( a global event for the youth). To be part of this event, we have to write 1500 words  essay, a more than 3 years involvement in the community faith we belong and a recommendation letter from a pastor. Entries are all over the Philippines. Only 10 will be chosen to be part of it. (5 voting and 5 non voting). And YES, I got slot as one of the voting delegates. I’m blessed to be part of it. So here is my essay. 🙂

I have this favorite part from Song of the Bird by Anthony de Mello and it goes like this “I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was, “Lord, give me the energy to change the world.” As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to “Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me. Just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.” Now that I am old and my days are numbered, my one prayer is, “God, give me the grace to change myself.” If I had prayed this right from the start I should not have wasted my life”.

The sum of my life can be seen on all of my decisions. To follow Jesus and be His servant is the greatest decision I made, since then I touch other lives through leadership. My leadership involvement got started when I met God and learned that He has purpose for each and every one. However, to work for God is never an easy task — it requires a lot of effort, patience and sacrifices. So every day I seize every opportunity to work hard in improving myself and deepening my relationship with God. Like the man in the poem, I also asked for the same things but never missed any chance. Not long when I realized that leadership runs in my blood and even strengthened by the people in my faith community. I grew up in a family where God is the center of all things, where Sunday school is the most awaited class in a week, where pastor and deaconess are the people I looked up to and where Sunday service is a day full of songs, prayers and love as all the members of the church hugs and kisses each other. A well founded environment where God has set for me that helps and shapes me to be I am right now.

As early as 13, I was more exposed to God’s words and gradually learned how to apply them in my life while interacting with other people. Soon this exposure gave me enough confidence and credibility to talk in crowd while I share God’s good news to everyone. I became active to different youth activities and consecutively was chosen to be part of the executive committee. I’m not only equipped with church doctrines and principles; I am also empowered in decision making. Evidently, when we spend time with people who are truly wise and who walked closely with God, you will then find yourself motivated to live your life more fully as well. My family and the church help me see my potential as a leader. I am thankful that God prepared me to be an instrument for the development of the faith community I belong.

An open heart, firm principles and a nice attitude to match I accepted to become God’s instrument in making a contribution. This contribution is to respond for the ministry I am called. I am blessed enough and it is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to serve God through passionately leading the youth.

Dedicating much of my time in service results me to being unemployed for about a year even though I tried to apply. Rather than making myself busy doing more resume and floating them to different companies I focus my energy in serving God because I believe that God deserves our best effort. He was never my second option and because I believe that He put me into this earth to add life. So, I continue serving the Lord by planning and implementing more activities that may help youth in learning more about God, I also inspire them with my personal experiences with the Lord, encouraging and building them up to be the next leader, I visited churches to share good news and hear their stories. To serve and not to be served just like Jesus become my maxim. These are clear reasons why He let me focus on serving Him than being hired. It was never a difficult year for me because God never left me in the fulfillment of my mission He assigned. However there are times I felt that my efforts are not enough, that my time and resources are wasted. But still I continue to fix my eyes, heart and mind on my calling to honor God.

Consequently, I want to extend my mission to other area of my life and that is having stable career. I promised Him to stay loyal and active with the ministry despite busy schedules. June 1, 2012, as the date I asked Him, I got the news that I was hired. I was more static when my job is not just to do tedious paper works but to be the Community and Extension Officer where I am connected — a Community based work that gave me a chance to work with other people in helping them achieve a more decent life and a chance to involve my students in nation building. First thing that came into my mind is that I can use this work in introducing God to the new people around me and at the same time extend God’s words.  This life changing event is a proof that He always give me clear guidance every step of the way. Now I trust Him more than ever with His plans as I continue to walk with Him intimately.

All these years, I am now sure that He is directing me towards my desire: leadership involvement. Through leadership, I have the power to change lives and perspectives but being blessed with power is more or less intoxicating.  Some of us go after power in different ways for different reasons. Some may think that power never equates with love or that we can have power out of love or that power and love cannot coexist. God is the most powerful One in the universe yet the most loving one. In fact, we define God as love. The power of love is life changing. If we do good things out of love then nothing will hinder us from succeeding and we become fearless especially when what we are doing is for His name. In connection with this, my vision for the future young people who will soon be leaders is for them to be a “World Class Christian”. A Christian who is not focus on worldly things like power.

They are the world class Christian trained to be responsive in serving God to unite in resolving global challenges. Young people, who work, pray hard and give effort to know their missions, their contributions and their purposes in life. Leaders who will aspire to continue develop and improve services for the glory of our Lord. A future composed of young leaders who, like me, have a vision and dreams for younger generation. Young people who are creative and insightful, humble, productive and firm in making God the center of their lives. A generation that is ready for battles in a world full of temptations making them far away from God. A future that is dominated by Christian young people who are able, ready and equip to influence other through their God given talents and be fearless spokesman for God. Young people who will serve as the salt and light of world. Salt that will preserve people from sin and destruction and that will make a valuable difference in the lives of those around them. On the other hand, light that will give hope and victory to people who are in darkness.

I would be glad if I will be part of this event where different young people all over the world will come together, create friendships and share experiences. It is an honor if given a chance to be God’s instrument for another journey.  This event will be a way and chance to learn new and innovative ideas. With God’s help I would be able to develop and prepare youth to become righteous and dedicated leaders, equip them with the know-how to become effective leaders in their respective places of abode or on their assigned ministries, empower them to take lead, help them to stand for what is Godly and all other things that are suited and applicable to the faith community I belong. The different organizations and groups I belong right now are my starting point in sharing whatever be the knowledge and teachings I will acquire during the said event. Expansion of programs that is sustainable and applicable to other organizations and groups are our next steps that we should accomplished for everything that is good be transfer to whoever needs it. I will be observant for a way to share with someone else something God has given me. I will not talk about the power of God; I will let them experience it.