We’ve heard it all before but…
People. They come. They go. Seasons. They come. They go. Feelings. They come. They soak. They dry. They linger. They go. Nothing stays the same. And I’m still learning. To not take it personally.
(Source: owlcityblog.com)
(Source: hellanne)
(Source: wordsthat-speak)
I sat in between a man who was threatened to be stabbed if he didn’t give the man his belongings and a woman whose bag was taken away from her. The holdupper wasn’t a beast, he was a young man. Of flesh and blood. A young man probably driven by hunger, rage… whatever. But the enemy has many faces and has its ways in taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable, especially when you live in a country, heck, in a world, that lift up the rich and look down on the poor and marginalized. There’s so much to say about this, but listen. Although it was dark out… although it was night time, if I remember correctly there was light inside the jeepney. Although the holduppers had screwdrivers and wooden stakes as weapons, no one was stabbed or hurt. Although the situation as a whole was scary, the provision and light of God was so much stronger. I can’t keep silent about this. About what had happened. For me to be silent about this would mean me placing more importance in the terror of it all. Me being out at night. Me taking the jeepney. Me almost being stabbed or killed by a wooden stake. Me almost being robbed. If I focus on those things and let that hinder me from sharing this story, that means I’m letting the enemy win. And I can’t and I won’t let that happen. It would be a mistake to let this traumatize me. It would be a mistake to dehumanize the holduppers and call them animals. You don’t let fear win. And you don’t let love lose.
Surprisingly enough, I shared this with my parents even after I told myself and my neighbors not to. This is something I wouldn’t dare share to them, knowing how they are with me AND the fact I’m thousands of miles away. But I wanted to share it to them because I want them to hear about the beautiful faithfulness of our Lord. We are all children. We are all children under His wings. I wanted them to praise His name with me as we are all going through this together. Depending on HIm. Trusting Him. Following Him.
There’s so much to say. How can I be afraid of flying cockroaches now after almost being stabbed by a wooden stake? Hah. I could’ve reacted 2 ways when I realized the jeepney was being held up. One, I could’ve been angry. I could’ve let rage take hold of me with the sight of violent injustice happening before me. I could’ve done something stupid and irrational and took hold of my own pocket knife and used my body as a weapon to protect those around me. Two, I could’ve been stunned in fear, wide-eyed and submissive. I could’ve attracted the eyes of the holduppers and they could’ve grabbed me or stolen something from me seeing my open vulnerability. But none of those happened. Not by my own reaction but by God’s hand sliding on the back of my head, pushing it down, telling me to keep quiet and hidden, and pray and say “In Jesus name. In Jesus name.”
This is how I wish to live and continually to live my life. To accept the times I am weak. To accept the times I am strong. But above all, to accept and to surrender to the times where the Lord will move me or not move me. Let me be the mouth that He uses to share stories of praise. Let Him use me in whatever circumstance so that I may be able to tell others how REAL how FAITHFUL how MIGHTY how LOVING how MERCIFUL He is. Let my lips my tears my trembling hands bring His SOLID name praise. I am stronger in Him because of this. I am more compassionate in Him because of this.
I am overwhelmed by my encounter being caught between harm’s way. But I am more overwhelmed by Your protection and safety as I broke down and walked into the arms of my community, my home that night. Because of You, I am stronger. Let my eyes and my heart not grow blurry or numb to those who give in to injustice. Let not hateful anger overcome me. But let Your Spirit of truth and power empower me to make the right decision when the time calls for it. Above all, use me to shout and tell the world You are victory. You are victory every day in every situation. To, You, my King, I surrender my life once more. Thank You thank You thank You<3
I sat in between a man who was threatened to be stabbed if he didn’t give the man his belongings and a woman whose bag was taken away from her. The holdupper wasn’t a beast, he was a young man. Of flesh and blood. A young man probably driven by hunger, rage… whatever. But the enemy has many faces and has its ways in taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable, especially when you live in a country, heck, in a world, that lift up the rich and look down on the poor and marginalized. There’s so much to say about this, but listen. Although it was dark out… although it was night time, if I remember correctly there was light inside the jeepney. Although the holduppers had screwdrivers and wooden stakes as weapons, no one was stabbed or hurt. Although the situation as a whole was scary, the provision and light of God was so much stronger. I can’t keep silent about this. About what had happened. For me to be silent about this would mean me placing more importance in the terror of it all. Me being out at night. Me taking the jeepney. Me almost being stabbed or killed by a wooden stake. Me almost being robbed. If I focus on those things and let that hinder me from sharing this story, that means I’m letting the enemy win. And I can’t and I won’t let that happen. It would be a mistake to let this traumatize me. It would be a mistake to dehumanize the holduppers and call them animals. You don’t let fear win. And you don’t let love lose.
Surprisingly enough, I shared this with my parents even after I told myself and my neighbors not to. This is something I wouldn’t dare share to them, knowing how they are with me AND the fact I’m thousands of miles away. But I wanted to share it to them because I want them to hear about the beautiful faithfulness of our Lord. We are all children. We are all children under His wings. I wanted them to praise His name with me as we are all going through this together. Depending on HIm. Trusting Him. Following Him.
There’s so much to say. How can I be afraid of flying cockroaches now after almost being stabbed by a wooden stake? Hah. I could’ve reacted 2 ways when I realized the jeepney was being held up. One, I could’ve been angry. I could’ve let rage take hold of me with the sight of violent injustice happening before me. I could’ve done something stupid and irrational and took hold of my own pocket knife and used my body as a weapon to protect those around me. Two, I could’ve been stunned in fear, wide-eyed and submissive. I could’ve attracted the eyes of the holduppers and they could’ve grabbed me or stolen something from me seeing my open vulnerability. But none of those happened. Not by my own reaction but by God’s hand sliding on the back of my head, pushing it down, telling me to keep quiet and hidden, and pray and say “In Jesus name. In Jesus name.”
This is how I wish to live and continually to live my life. To accept the times I am weak. To accept the times I am strong. But above all, to accept and to surrender to the times where the Lord will move me or not move me. Let me be the mouth that He uses to share stories of praise. Let Him use me in whatever circumstance so that I may be able to tell others how REAL how FAITHFUL how MIGHTY how LOVING how MERCIFUL He is. Let my lips my tears my trembling hands bring His SOLID name praise. I am stronger in Him because of this. I am more compassionate in Him because of this.
Because of You, I am stronger. Let my eyes and my heart not grow blurry or numb to those who give in to injustice. Let not hateful anger overcome me. But let Your Spirit of truth and power empower me to make the right decision when the time calls for it. Above all, use me to shout and tell the world You are victory. You are victory every day in every situation. To, You, my King, I surrender my life once more. Thank You thank You thank You<3
“I‘m so glad you’re finally happy <3”
