Choir Team Building activity =)

“The Rat Race”

A few weeks ago, I’ve been searching for a book to be used for cell group discussion amongst our Young Professionals’ Fellowship. I couldn’t find the books I previously searched through the net and somehow came across this book: “The Man in the Mirror” by Patrick M. Morley. I kind’a thought “This is a good book for me”. A good read somehow… and, so I bought it, having found nothing else to buy from the Christian bookstore.

As I read it, the first chapter talks about this “Rat Race”, which the author relates it to the “American Dream” yet never attained. From this point on, I knew that the target readers of this book were Christian Americans who are engrossed and perhaps trapped in pursuing this so called “The American Dream.” Although it may have targeted Americans, still I have interest in reading it. And so I did!

The author defined “Rat Race” as pursuing the beautiful wrinkled-free life. To far more describe it in detail (from my own understanding), it is about one’s desire to acquire a life with beautiful house, excellent & luxurious car, with time to relax with family and friends and simply enjoy, having fun and etc. I thought to myself and ask “Is this the kind of life Filipinos dream too?” Probably! But maybe that’s just my opinion. The Filipino majority, I believe, are the poor ones and there are even poorer than the poor. Putting myself in their situation, I see that their goal might be, is to survive this wretched and corrupted system of ours and survive by earning and even sacrificing much for the sake of providing for their needs. And to add to it, even we Christians are somewhat caught in this kind of situation.

As I failed to make some survey of my own, perhaps asking my fellow young professionals would suffice and confirm my thoughts and ideas about this so called “the rat race” (in the Filipino concept). And somehow it was almost the same in my thought when asked “What is the Filipino’s dream today?” One of the things I’m sure would hit our thought is “Abroad!” Going away or running away from the Philippines. Of course with the idea that your family is also with you and finding a better place to stay or “a greener pasture” as they say. And before one could do that, sacrifices had to be made. One has to venture and explore the uncertainties and the risks, rather than to choose to stay in this corrupted nation.

Seeing the lives of other people, I think some are successful and some failed. And a sad truth, one has to gamble a great deal of money to take the risk of earning huge of amount of money. And of course when money is in the middle of it, corruption and deception follows it luring the innocent and the unknowing victims of its true intention.

Another sad thing, most often we Filipinos are caught up and almost have a habit of what we call loan (utang – Filipino term). I can’t understand how this practice have come from, for I believe this kind of practice is never a Christian habit or life-style.

Romans 13:8 “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”

But going back to the book…. And I think, Filipinos and even we Christians being caught in the idea of pursing a goal which is to attain this greener pasture-kind of life is our “the rat race”. I’m not saying that being in this “rat race” is wrong, but it’s just that because of this, we forget our real goal. We forget sometimes what is more valuable than not. And most often, we forget that we have a Great God. And, that I must admit, I too am caught in this problem.

Hebrews 12:1-3 – Talks about our race, the Christian race, which definitely points us to a different direction.

And,

Galatians 5:7 - Reminds and asks us Christians “What has detracted us into running our good race?”

“But what can we do? It seems there is no way from getting out of the rat race?” I somehow asked. Personally? I too am hard up thinking about these things for there are many factors that affect our situation.

The book talked about some factors that have weaved this “American Dream” concept. One is, Media. The media has become a strong medium of, maybe brainwashing or deceiving people to believe in a product and making it become as if “a need” rather than just a want. With the power of technology, media has become more influential than ever. And, perhaps created a new breed of generation, if I may say, a materialistic generation. It’s astonishing how the television works and affects people. Sometimes I observe my sisters and perhaps I myself caught in watching TV programs. Just after watching one episode, generate a desire to watch the next one, same with games and other media and/or entertainment-related activities. It definitely creates such an addiction that is hard to say no to it. A problem which may cause us to decide poorly and unwise on certain decisions which will in effect may lead us to bigger problems. And I think that is the problem. We are caught up with small things and think it’s just a small problem when in fact, when neglected becomes a big problem.

That is just one factor. And it’s certainly a sad note.

1 Corinthians 6:12 "'Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

This verse gives a practical principle we Christians should put into practice. Watching TV is not evil nor is a problem. But it actually gives no benefit for us. Probably to simply entertain, but entertainment is never a need. If you think we need it to relax and have a little laughter, don’t you think you could do that in a much better activity like being with your family or your friends? Think about it. What is more likely enjoyable and much more meaningful, a time with your TV or your family and friends? And, the principle that one must not be mastered or controlled by it is one thing we Christians should really have. At this point, I have certainly learned to say no to TV. But if idle time comes, it definitely knocks on my door a lot.

One of the factors that I’m currently on struggle right now is money. For some reason, I couldn’t help but be caught up in the pursuit of more money. Of course, due to the need of money-generated problem (e.g. bills, allowances, food, needful items & appliances, etc.). And seeing others, it seems they too have the same problems, which makes me at times ask God and most often doubt Him as my Provider. Of course, by doing so, I sin against Him. And so I ask God’s forgiveness as well as for Understanding. And the Truth? I think the problem is in how we define our needs. I sometimes ask, “I wonder if I were alone living in a simple house. What would it be like? What will be my needs?” Sometimes or most often we have a problem managing or becoming a good steward on what God has given us. And as one preacher recently preached: “Sometimes we think we own these things. When actually it is God’s[re-phrased].” We need to learn and remind ourselves that we are just stewards of God’s creation and God’s gift. And we are held accountable in what God has given us.

I may never give comfort and share all the insights here. But certainly, we can’t go on in our lives as Christians and become miserable just by looking at and pursuing a goal other than Christ.

Matthew 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

MY TESTIMONY

(Written and printed last November 26, 2000
from the program of the church, as-is)

I was born in a Christian Family. But, I don't remember when I have accepted Christ. The only thing that I remember is that I accepted Him three times. As time goes by, I realized that it is wrong, I need to accept Him once. Like a gift, we only accept a particular gift once. I don't remember much on how I have accepted Him but only a flash of memory is left. The time when my father led me to accept Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I remember some of the words in Ilocano which says "Bigbigek nga syak ket managbasol, ken mamatiak nga ni Jesu Kristo ket natay para kenyak, ket awatek isuna akas manubot ken mangisalakan ko". After the prayer I felt the happiness in me and a part of me is changed.

Just like a new born Christian a (should be I) started sharing God's Word to my friends. But as time passed by, the fire within me slowly dies, only a glow was left at my mouth to speak about God. But even though, I never speak much, I tried to show to others that I'm a Christian through my actions. Then I was baptized, became a member of the choir and the AFC. I got to know more about God. I started building relationship with God. He became my Friend, my Father, my God and my everything. If you think I'm a loner, you are wrong because I am always with God, He is my Best Friend!

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At some point I got to laugh about how I wrote 10 years ago (hahaha!) by the time or perhaps the Era of Ptr. Antonio Yadao, Jr. (a.k.a. Ptr. Pet). Calculating my age at that time... I was 18 years of age. A teen, and haven't much learned about many things. At the same time, haven't experienced much the battles of being in the Christian Life. Although I wouldn't regret on those battles, for I believe it has made me stronger. It doesn't mean I'm no longer hard up on struggles but it has shaped me on being more mature as a Christian.

This little article has set me to reminisce the old days. When our leaders we're trying to teach and train us God's Word. And, now trying to do the same thing for the next generation. So far I really miss the old ones though, the people who have greatly impact our lives. And I wonder and hope, I'm doing the same thing. As I face new challenges and level of life, things has really changed and new generation has dawned. Christian life goes on! and May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be Glorified and Magnified!