The Dawn Of All

Chapter 1.5

"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

1 Chronicles 28:9

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Belen and Clariza had been rivals for as long as anyone could remember. Whether it was school competitions, community events, or even friendships, they always found themselves on opposite sides, each striving to be better than the other. Friends and family grew accustomed to the silent tension between them—a tension that neither could seem to shake, no matter how much time passed.

One brisk autumn morning, Belen and Clariza found themselves face-to-face once again. They were both sitting in the crowded lobby of their community center, waiting for the orientation meeting to begin for a new youth outreach program. Belen was scrolling through her phone, trying her best to ignore Clariza's presence beside her, but she could still feel the tension in the air.

Clariza broke the silence first, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Let me guess—you're here to outshine everyone, as usual."

Belen rolled her eyes. "Please. Not everything is a competition, Clariza. Believe it or not, some of us want to make a difference."

Clariza scoffed. "Right, and I suppose you're the perfect example of selflessness?"

Belen clenched her jaw, feeling the familiar irritation rise. But before she could respond, a soft voice interrupted them. "Hello, everyone! Thank you for being here today."

The organizer, Ms. Ramirez, smiled warmly as she motioned for the group to gather closer. "Today, you'll be divided into teams to work on community projects over the next few months. These projects are a chance to serve wholeheartedly, to give back to the community with sincerity and a willing heart."

Belen and Clariza exchanged uneasy glances, each silently hoping they wouldn't end up on the same team. But as Ms. Ramirez read out the names, their worst fears were realized.

"Belen and Clariza, you'll be working together on the tutoring project," Ms. Ramirez announced, oblivious to the tension between them. "You'll both be helping younger students with their schoolwork and acting as mentors to them."

Clariza's shoulders slumped, while Belen let out a quiet groan. They both knew they had no choice but to cooperate if they wanted to fulfill their responsibilities.

Their first meeting with the students was scheduled for the following Saturday. They arrived at the community center, barely acknowledging each other as they set up tables and materials. The kids started trickling in, and soon the room was filled with laughter, chatter, and the scratching of pencils on paper.

At first, Belen and Clariza worked in silence, each focused on their students. But as the session wore on, they found themselves drawn to one particularly shy boy named Luis, who was struggling with his math homework. Luis looked down, his face filled with frustration as he erased his answers again and again.

Clariza kneeled beside him, trying to explain the problem in a gentle voice, but Luis only seemed to grow more discouraged. Belen watched for a moment before joining them, offering a different approach to the problem. To their surprise, Luis started to catch on, his face lighting up with newfound understanding.

For the first time, Belen and Clariza found themselves working together seamlessly, each of their strengths complementing the other's. They continued helping Luis, and by the end of the session, he was smiling, proudly showing them his completed work.

As the students began to leave, Belen turned to Clariza, hesitating. "You did a good job with Luis today. He responded to the way you explained things."

Clariza looked at her, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Thanks... and I guess your method worked too. He wouldn't have finished if it wasn't for you."

For a brief moment, their rivalry seemed to dissolve, replaced by a shared sense of purpose. They realized that when they put aside their differences, they were actually able to make a meaningful impact.

In the weeks that followed, Belen and Clariza continued working together on the tutoring project. Their conversations became less tense, and they even started to laugh at each other's jokes now and then. The students they worked with seemed to thrive under their combined efforts, and the project began to feel less like an obligation and more like a calling.

One day, after a particularly successful tutoring session, Belen and Clariza sat together in the empty room, enjoying the quiet moment after the kids had gone.

"You know," Belen said, breaking the silence, "I used to think this whole project was just another chance to prove myself. But now... I feel like I'm here for a different reason."

Clariza nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Me too. At first, I was just here to compete, to show everyone I could be better. But I think I'm starting to understand what it means to serve with a real heart, not just for recognition."

Belen smiled, a warm, genuine smile that Clariza hadn't seen before. "It reminds me of something I read recently, a verse from 1 Chronicles. King David tells his son Solomon, 'Acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and thought.'"

Clariza tilted her head, listening intently. "So, it's like... God knows when we're truly serving Him or just doing things for ourselves. "

"Exactly," Belen replied. "I think He cares more about our motives than the actual work we're doing. He wants us to be sincere, to serve wholeheartedly."

Clariza was silent for a moment, reflecting on the words. "I guess that's why I always felt empty, even when I tried so hard to be the best. I was doing it for the wrong reasons."

They both sat in reflective silence, realizing how their rivalry had clouded their intentions. But now they had a chance to serve with open hearts, without the weight of competition between them.

Over the next few months, Belen and Clariza continued working on their project, but their rivalry was no longer the driving force. Instead, they found joy in helping the students and in their newfound friendship, one based on mutual respect and shared purpose.

One day, Ms. Ramirez called them aside after a session, a proud smile on her face. "I've noticed a change in both of you. The kids have too. You're not just helping them with their schoolwork—you're showing them what it means to be truly devoted, to serve with sincerity."

Belen and Clariza looked at each other, a sense of pride and gratitude filling their hearts. They had come a long way, each letting go of their pride and embracing a life of genuine service.

As they walked out of the community center that day, Belen turned to Clariza, a soft smile on her face. "I'm glad we ended up on the same team. I think I learned more from you than I could have on my own."

Clariza chuckled, nudging her friend playfully. "Same here. Maybe being rivals wasn't so bad after all. It just took us a while to figure out what matters."

They laughed, feeling the weight of their past competition lift completely. They were no longer enemies; they were partners in a journey toward wholehearted devotion and true friendship.

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dghlmnrt: In a world full of competition and comparison, living with wholehearted devotion means seeking to serve with honesty, not for selfish gain. It's an invitation to examine our motives and choose a life that reflects true faith.

When we focus on doing things for the right reasons, we find a deeper joy and purpose. Living with a sincere heart is about letting go of our pride and choosing to serve others out of love. It's a shift that leads us to a more meaningful life, one where we're not constantly comparing ourselves to others but instead are fulfilled by the simple act of doing good. 

Are you doing things for recognition, praise, or for your pride? Or are you serving with sincerity and a pure heart?