Lost Thoughts

FOREVER DOES EXIST

Forever Does Exist

By Rose Roushima

"Forever does not exist. Not for anybody." Do you concur to this statement or do you go against it?

Nothing lasts forever. Everything is ephemeral. "Walang forever!" as many would protest. Some would even say, "Sinong maniniwala sa forevermore kung ang kasunod naman nito ay two wives?!" They would acclaim it as if they are very certain of it. Let me ask you... Are you one of them?

First, let us run through the meaning of the word forever...'A seemingly interminable time' as Merriam Webster would define it. Endless, eternal, infinite, and perpetual – words which best make a clearer definition of the word. Every single person who falls in love goes up against those who say "forever does not exist" with their combating words, "I will make it exist." But it is like acquiescing that forever never really existed in the first place.

Plants wither. Fame wilts. Wealth droops. And beauty fades just as weight fluctuates. Today's trending clothes you have will one day become tatty. Your latest gadgets will be superimposed with newfangled inventions. You fall happily in love and would eventually own a broken heart. Yesterday you were overjoyed, today you are miserable. About an hour ago, you are very much alive but in this moment, you feel like you're about to die. Well, in due course, we people are sure to depart this life.

Is there even something that exists forever? Or does forever even exist? In my viewpoint – yes, it does. Just because you and your boyfriend broke up and your parents separated you would go declaring "nothing lasts forever". We always overreact on everything. Perhaps life is limited. And in that short span of the human life-cycle, we experience to love and be loved by the people surrounding us. Be that Storge – a family and friendship love, and Eros – a passionate and intense love, a love which inspires an individual to be better, to make himself/herself look attractive and stunning in the eyes of everyone especially to his/her love. A love that both completes and destroys a person who falls romantically. The reason why a lot of people declare and insist "Walang forever!" as they are shattered and they feel unloved. Glum and wretched while thinking about what could have been wrong about him/her? Dismal as they were very insecure and blinded by their secular emotions.

They convince themselves that life and even God is unfair. They have forgotten or have unheard of what the bible says about Agape – an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It is the love which God has for each and every creature he made. A love that will be there forever. And that is what we should know. Forever exists in the love of God for us. That he even allowed us to be a part of this world. Yes, maybe not for long. But this borrowed finite time which He allowed us to have is our very own mechanism to have an access to a world where everything lasts forever. How do we do that? Assess yourself. Have you ever been in love? Were you once heartbroken? Or are you in love right now? With whom? With your boyfriend? Or with what? With material things?

A lot of people fall crazily in 'love' in this world but oblivious of the Creator who has made that finest work of art. Are you one of them? Do you always focus on the romantic side of love, destroying yourself just because you were broken when he left you for another person? Do you ruin yourself because she's got something which you don't have that's why your lover broke up with you? Does destroying yourself help you chill out the pain of heartbreak?

But don't you think you're supposed to be more devastated when you have a complicated relationship with God? Oftentimes, we forget about him. We ignore him and love the world greater instead. You never thank him for what you have. Never said sorry for what you did wrong. But still, He is always there when you need help. He's forever on your side to raise you up when you're feeling down. He's a friend who never lets you walk alone. He can give you everything you need.

So why not we let ourselves fall deeply in love with Him instead? He who is certain not to break a promise. He who will never let go of your hand. He who will never break your heart. He who can grant the forever that you wish to have. Why not compose yourself, choose to love Him? Offer yourself to Him the same way you have given everything to the person you love in this world? Perhaps the things you have right now can be said temporary, but let yourself be reminded that God exists forever. His love for you is infinite. And He promised you a world where only love and happiness reside.

Do you have God in your heart? Are you a follower of His ways? If so, continue your faith. Love Him and accept Him as He love and accept your imperfections. Be with Him today, and live with Him eternally in His kingdom which has no end. See to yourself that forever does exist.

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NOTE:

I used this during our Speech and Oral Communication final exam when I was still in second year college. Writing this actually took me an overnight. Gahd! I had trouble composing something about "forever" since during that time, the phrase 'walang forever' is all over Facebook and many other social media sites. And I had to write and talk about something controversial for that "memorized speech" we have to perform for our finals. So, there! I ended up with this which is kind of heart-sinking, because everytime I remember the day when we performed it, I was the one who had the longest speech! E kasi naman! I didn't know that 2 paragraphs of memorized speech will do! To think na pinahirapan ko pang i-memorize ito within a day or two?! Well, you see, memorization isn't actually my thing! Mahina ako duuun! Don't ask why dahil hindi ko din alam kung bakit. Okay, whatever. The end.