Do Not Leave Your Valuables Unattended

We often read the sign in a hotel room or a restaurant, "Please do not leave your valuables unattended." I used to think this precaution refers to things I treasure but now I think this refers to people that matters most to me - my loved ones, my wife, my children, my family, my God. I have this tendency to be so focused with other less important stuff - work, hobbies, entertainment, and other fancy things that I leave people I love "unattended." This tendency has a way of drawing me away to what matters most in life. It doesn't mean I don't work because I have to or my hobbies are kind of boring because I like doing stuff and some entertainment can slow down the aging process. It dawned on me, what matters most in life is building significant relationships not accumulating shiny stuff. This realization is kind of a look in a rearview mirror. I didn't get it the first time, as I often do, but I thank God for the gift of hindsight. In my case, I usually see things clearly when it's past me. But nonetheless, I get it. I remember Jesus, in the Gospels, has taught his disciples the importance of not leaving their valuables unattended. In his famous "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus said to them, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Actually, Jesus is pointing out to what really matters most in this life: our relationship with the heavenly Father. He wants us to realize that the Father is more than willing to provide all the stuff we need. He loves me and you that he even gave his precious Son. I discovered in this verses the secret to authentic living: it is being in the presence of the King - enjoying and knowing him. The rest of the stuff I can freely access because in the kingdom, the King has all the prerogative and he loves giving away stuff to those he loves. God is our King. I figure out God never leaves valuables unattended. His eyes are fixed on me, on you, and on all he created. Your looks or size or past doesn't matter. What matters to him is the shape of your heart. He has put a God-shaped vacuum in our hearts that only he can fill. And until it's filled by him we look for things that don't satisfy. We will remain restless as St. Augustine said. Now I know the value of seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness. It's cultivating the most significant relationship with the One who created and loved me. It's taking time to pause for a prayer. It's taking time to be with God until I become like him in righteousness and loving kindness. Whenever I read the sign again, "Please don't leave your valuables unattended" I know what to do - build deeper relationships with the people that matter most. Ruben Mojar - Hernani, Jr. Dipolog City 07.14.18

Expecant Prayer

EXPECTANT PRAYER

There are times when I am not expectant of what God is yet to say and do. Oftentimes prayer has become mechanical - an involuntary motion just like 'blinking' that has somehow lost its meaning and value. But this morning I am reminded that our attitude when it comes to prayer should be like that of the Psalmist who waited with so much anticipation to hear God's words and see His actions revealed. He uttered, "I pray to God...and wait for what he'll say and do." (Psalm 130, The Message). The faith of the Psalmist is founded in the truth that God is constantly speaking and moving to 'make things beautiful in His time.' With this kind of eager expectation and hope in the One Almighty God, I believe our prayer will never be dull, boring or dragging. It becomes deeply transforming.

In a world where we constantly fall prey to the 'tyranny of the urgent' prayer, which necessitates waiting, has become a lost 'art.' We often pray, "Lord, give me patience right now!" I myself while doing my very best to be a good father has often wished that my little sons would become mature grown ups right away. But  deep within I know that it takes patient years of nurturing for that to happen. Yes, anything worthwhile in this world takes time to grow and nurture.

In the same manner, God our Father is nurturing us patiently to become persons created in His image as we draw to Him in a posture of expectation. Let our lives be a manifestation of God's handiwork as we patiently come to Him with expectant hearts.

Lord, teach me to be very patient, expectant and full of hope every time I go to You in prayer knowing that You are yet to speak and do great and mighty things in the world. Amen.