I’m an Addict
By: Gener Marcelo
Addict as defined in the dictionary as an aficionado, fan, buff, fanatic, devotee or an enthusiast. But this noun oftentimes takes a negative connotation and commonly defined as something associated with vices as we Filipino commonly defines traffic as the non movement of vehicles.
Purpose Driven Life
I must admit that my relationship with God before is halfhearted. While I professed my belief in Him, my faith is little below comparison to the size of a mustard seed. But I never realized that life’s difficulties can be a key to change your ordinary life to a Purpose Driven Life.
Providing the family a better future is a common desire of every parent. Driven by that desire, I was forced to go out of my comfort zone and found myself in the land where loneliness is unfathomable. Being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a first timer is too much to bear. Feeling alone and isolated from an environment totally different from the habitat you used to have is something like loneliness in eternity.
What I overlooked though was the opportunity given to me to discover my life’s purpose. Perhaps the absence of any diversion in this land is subtle way of introducing bible reading as an alternative form of past time. How I got my Bible (here in the land where even a possession of it is a serious offense; what more if you are caught reading it) doesn’t happen by chance but on purpose.
One night, I had a hard time sleeping so I went out of my room to borrow a bible from a Filipino friend. I borrowed it simply for one purpose, - to help me fall to sleep.
I got this idea from a self-help book that I read in the Philippines to help late sleepers like me to catch sleep effectively, that is by reading not so interesting books. Though the author doesn’t explicitly suggest that bible indeed is uninteresting book, however, it was my idea that bible fits for that purpose, a sleep inducing book. To ensure that I will fall to sleep immediately, I have to start from The Old Testament.
Bible Reading as Way of Life
Days had passed and still haven’t got a good sleep and worst, bible reading keeps me awake every night. But still, I didn’t stop reading thinking that the more verses I read, the more tired I become and surely will make me asleep. Never did I realize that I’m getting addicted to it. My morning routine starts by reading one chapter of the Book of Songs before going to office while my evening is programmed on reading the New Testament starting from the gospel of Matthew chapter after chapter every night. Two nights ago, I finished reading the Book of Revelation. Now I have to redo my readings starting again from the gospel according to Matthew but this time, I will read it through my heart.
Responding to the Call
Matthew 9: 37-38 The harvest is many but the reapers are few, pray to the one who sows the seed to send more workers.
I know God is trying to speak to me in countless dreams that I had. At first I could not understand the message lies beneath my recurring dreams until the picture becomes clearer. I never asked Him why me but always beg Him, “Help me Lord to help other peopleâ€. I know I’m not worthy to be called His servant. I've been thru a lot of 'stuff' and made a lot of mistakes in the past, one's that I am not proud of but then I re-dedicated my life to the Lord; asked for His will to be done in my life, instead of mine. Since then, things have been going smoother for me. Yes, I still have problems. I thank God for His loving grace and forgiveness. Now I use the NET to share the Word of God on the web. I also gave unsolicited advice to people who may be going thru a rough time understanding their life or just need a 'listening' ear via IM or email.
Spreading God’s message using the information highway is highly addictive and it makes me feel “HIGHâ€. Well, maybe, I’m an Addict but definitely I don’t need cure.
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