LOOKING WITH THE EYES OF FAITH

The unedited picture below wasn’t able to fully capture all of the participants of the very recent Youth and Y.A. overnight swimming of COG Lalaan which started yesterday at Celbert’s Private Pool in Lucsuhin, Silang, Cavite.

When the program was about to start, I was immediately astounded looking at the number of youth and young adults God has gathered for this fellowship. Even as I took the shot above, I was overwhelmed, overjoyed and blessed! The Lord isn’t done yet in what He’s about to do in the youth and young adults in Lalaan.

Majority of the participants were youth, and nearly all of them have attended or have been attending our church services. Only, I am not able to see most of them because I always attend our second service since I teach in Sunday Schoolevery 1^st service.

I admit that there is this burden I feel within me whenever I think of the Youth in Lalaan. For months, we are not able to have consistent fellowships. For months, I have this feeling that we were losing unity. For months, I was worrying that our blazing passion for Jesus and the lost youth is losing its flame and fuel.

But these were Satan’s deceptions. These were Satan’s belittlement in what God was doingamidstwhat I was looking at.

I was looking with the eyes of hopelessness, of disbelief. I was using the eyes of a pagan.

If I look back using the eyes of faith, every process and event that the youth ministry in Lalaan has gone through are necessary and not in vain.

That’s why to all the sisters and brothers in Christ (especially the Youth Core and workers of COG Main) whom God sent to us, I want to thank you. The sacrifices, time, effort and service you gave were never in vain and will never be in vain. You are an important part and foundation of the Youth in Lalaan. Your great contributions are not overlooked. May the Lord continue to bless you and use you as His channel of blessings and encouragement.

If I look at present using the eyes of faith, I see hope, I see the greatness of God’s plan in our youth. The bonding of our youth is strengthened. Every fire in our hearts is kindled. With the guidance of those who have helped us, we are starting to walk. We are learning from the things that we have been taught about.  We are being established.

If I look at the future using the eyes of faith, I declare that the Youth of Lalaan will have an established and equipped core. I declare that we will grow into a number that would make us say “This is God’s work!” I declare that we will love Jesus and the lost even more. I declare that because of this great love, we will reach out to the youth in Silang, Tagaytay, Alfonso, Mendez, Batangasand to anywhere God leads us. I declare that as we were helped and encouraged, we too, will extend help and encouragement to the youth of our satellite churches.

Looking at the eyes of faith, these are not mere words. These are not far from possible. These are accomplished and done.