How should I begin another amazing and wonderful story that the lover of my soul stitched just for me? How should I present the lessons and realizations I got from all these? How should I give glory to the magnificent God that orchestrated all these?
Squeezing all the answers to those three questions in one single blog entry is simply an injustice to the truth. But I will try anyway. Bear with me. Read with me as I write. Rejoice with me as I express the cheerfulness in my heart. Pray with me as I hope that the fire will keep burning.
Just a few days before this much awaited retreat, my Lord broke me again with that jealousy-betrayal incident I felt in my heart. Though I came to terms with myself and with my Lord before the actual retreat, that left an emptiness in my heart. I was like a mobile phone screaming to be plugged and recharged. I was feeling sick physically, catching the tonsillitis and colds virus and having an hour and a half worth of sleep the night before the big day, my temperature was high and my head was spinning when I dragged myself out of the bed that Saturday morning.
I was a walking zombie when I arrived at St. Francis Square. To think that we had a grueling schedule for the first day! But you what? I felt my spirit being recharged the moment I stepped on the main lobby of Chateau Royale and it went full bar when we sang the first praise and worship song for the retreat. “It’s All about You.” That set it for me. My entire being shifted its focus to the lover of my soul. My somewhat empty heart started to be filled with Jesus.
And the rest… as they say, is history. I am now home. With a smile in my heart. With wisdom in my mind. With the holy spirit in my soul.
I just pray, O Lord! That this fire does not fade.
I really wish I can impart all the things I learned during this weekend. But right now, I just want to share the excerpts from my prayer journal during my quiet times in the retreat (so you can help me pray these things)…
“Father God, thank you for this opportunity to spend time with you! Thank you that through this retreat we are reminded of how small we are compared to your magnificence, your faithfulness, your mercy and your love. Lord, how I wish that I can always experience this every single day: the closeness to you. To be surrounded with fellow believers… To just wake up with a happy heart and say “Good Morning Lord!”… To fellowship with a group through breakout sessions and talk about our experiences and how you are working in each of our lives… and to sing! Lord, you know how cheerful my heart is every time I sing for you. Thank you that through this retreat and with the praise and worship team we can just offer our voices to you and exalt you…”
“I praise you, Lord Jesus for all that you have done. I pray Lord that the fire burning in me will last a lifetime Lord! And not just until this retreat. Please help me start another new life with you…”
“Lord, this retreat is just about to end and though I almost don’t want to leave because I know I will once again face the worldliness of the world… I am ready. Equipped with my take-aways and the assurance of your loving-kindness and your magnificence, I know I can face the hindrances that lies ahead knowing that with you by my side, nothing is impossible. I claim victory over all future difficulties…”
Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3
No comments:
Post a Comment