Running The Race (Christian Devotions)

The "Not" GOALS

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:16‭-‬17

May bullet journal ka rin ba? Or tulad mo ako na mahilig sa self-improvement, mga personality development, etc. Isa sa mga laging sinasabi ng mga successful people is we must always set goals. Sabi nila, setting goals allows you to have a precise plan. Kaya ako, sa umaga before my work, I usually write down the things I need to do.
Sa faith? Oo may goals rin ako. Pero I have to think it thoroughly dahil if para kay Lord ang ginagawa ko, need ko si Lord. I cannot do it on my own. Sabi nga ni Jesus, with man, it is impossible- but not with God.
While people are listing what they're about to do, we should also write the things we're not supposed to do. I'll be sharing with you my "Not Goals"
NOT GOAL #1: You should not run after success, money, or prosperity.
Kailangan kong ipaalala sa sarili ko ito araw araw dahil meron akong FOMO syndrome. I fear missing out. Bakit? Nung bata ako, lagi akong outsider. Huli ako lagi sa mga uso. Syempre hindi ako in kasi wala akong alam sa mga trending. "Kj" ang tawag nila sa akin kapag hindi ako makasama sa mga galaan. Kaya anong ginawa ko? I go after what's trending to relate to other people. Nagtatabi ako ng pera para makabili ako ng mga usong gamit. Ngayon na nagtatrabaho na ako, mas may pera na ako. Siyempre nakakabili na ako ng kung anu-ano. Pero ngayon, narealize ko na ang pera, hindi niya maibibigay yung joy. Only God can do that.
Money is used by the devil to enslave God's people. Nagiging busy at nag oovertime kasi may pinagiipunan. Naneneglect ang faith dahil may kailangan tapusin. Hindi na si God ang nagiging priority. Don't get me wrong, walang masama sa pera. Pero kung eto ang motivation natin, ang purpose at reason natin, eh saan pa lulugar ang Lord sa buhay natin? Kaya nga isa sa mga sinabi ni Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ay ang sikreto niya kahit may pagkain o wala, masaya o malungkot.
Our main goal is not to run after the world's definition of success, but God's definition of success. And what is that success? Yung sinabi ni Jesus na denying of self. Yung sinasabi ni Paul na race na dapat nating tapusin.

NOT GOAL #2: You should not run after beauty.
Anong sinabi ni God kay Samuel? "Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Look, walang masama sa skincare, or beauty care. Personally, gusto ko rin pumuti. Pero our lives should not revolve in the world's standards of beauty.
Mahirap rin sa akin ito kasi lumaki ako na puro insecurities. When I tried dressing up because it feels good, I was told na tiis ganda raw ako. I was only 13 or 14 back then. I was replaced by someone I loved. Yung crush ko na akala ko ako lang crush, mayroon ring palang crush na iba. I was never a first choice. I grew up, always comparing myself. Always wanting to be somebody to be noticed. And until now, I'm struggling. Lalo na ngayon na mas tumindi ang standards ng mundo.
I have to cry out to the Lord many times. But God spoke to my insecurities through the story of Leah. Leah was Jacob's wife- si Leah yung babae na walang "spark" sa mata compared to Rachel. But a revelation came to me: It was Leah's son, Judah, nanggaling yung line ni David! At eto rin ang line ni Jesus. Leah was part of God's divine plan. And she was chosen.
Kaya kahit wala akong jowa, I am secured in God's love. Jesus is what makes my life beautiful. Jesus is what made my life meaningful.

NOT GOAL #3: You should not run after popularity and fame.

Who doesn't want to be known? Hindi ba hinahanap natin ang niche natin sa mundo? Hindi ba't masarap sa feeling yung marecognize ka ng maraming tao?
Yung hype feeling na maraming likes sa pictures mo. Yung dopamine rush kapag may nagrereact sa myday mo. Pero at the end of the day, it wasn't worth it. Hindi tayo nafufulfill.
Anong sabi ni Jesus? Whoever wants to be the first will be the last, and whoever wants to be the last will be the first.
Dahil hindi ako nakapag-college, nakakapanlumo. Pero dahil sa love ng Lord at sa Word niya, marami akong narealize. Ok lang. Basta marecognize ka ni Lord, sapat na yun. Feeling ko kasi nasa end of the line ako. Pero if God is glorified in my weakness, then it is well with my soul.
Ok lang walang mag like or magreact sa mga verses or sa mga quotes na nilalagay ko. What is important is God to be glorified. Jesus is a great example of humility. He took of his clothes- to clean the feet of His disciples. At kung ginawa ni Lord yun, ako pa ba? It's time to remove our pride- our condidence, to truly honor the Lord in our lives.

So that's my NOT GOALS. I am still in the process of changing bit by bit, but I will not give up. Kahit maraming naging trauma from the past, basta't kasama si Lord, nothing will be impossible.