Moments with my First Love [UNDER REVISION]

MOMENT 9: Good Shepherd

Have you ever felt like you're living the same day over and over again? Gigising. Papasok sa trabaho o school. Uuwi. Matutulog. Then repeat. Parang umiikot lang ang buhay sa parehong cycle. Parehong mga responsibilities, problema, maging . Parehong pagod. Until you found yourself asking, "Ito na lang ba talaga?"  

Maybe you've reached a point where you're not physically tired anymore because you've already learned how to function despite the exhaustion. But deep inside, pagod na pagod na ang kaluluwa mo. Pagod nang maghintay, umasa. Pagod ka nang lumaban at maging matatag para sa lahat habang ikaw mismo ay unti-unti nang nauubos.

Oraybe you've been carrying burdens that no one knows about. You'vebeen carrying rsponsibilities that never seem to end. Expectations that constantly weigh on your shoulders. Dreams you've been praying for years but still haven't seen come to pass. Yet you keep showing up and trying to the best that you can.

And if  truth be told? You're wondering if anything is really changing. Because you're doing your best in your studies, your career, your relationships, your ministry, or your calling. Yet despite all your effort, it feels like you're running on a treadmill—moving but not really arriving anywhere. And little by little, the excitement you once had begins to disappear.

And for some people, that same feeling has quietly crept into their relationship with God.

You still attend church. You still sing the songs. You still bow your head when it's time to pray. But deep inside, something feels different. The fire that once burned brightly has become a small flicker, and you can't help but wonder, "How did I get here?"

Sometimes, the loneliest place isn't out in the world. Sometimes it's being surrounded by people while silently carrying burdens no one else can see. It's smiling on the outside while feeling empty within.

If that's where you are today, this is for you.

Because no matter how far you've drifted or how weary you've become, God has never lost sight of you. Even when you can't find your way back, He still knows exactly where you are. And His grace is still reaching for you.

Jesus said in John 10:7-11 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

A thief comes only to rob, kill and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it fully. I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.

Napakaganda ng sinabi ni Jesus dito dahil hindi lang Niya ipinakita kung sino Siya, kundi ipinakita rin Niya kung sino tayo at kung ano ang tunay nating kailangan. Sa mundong puno ng pressure, expectations, disappointments, at iba't ibang boses na nagsasabing dito ka sasaya, dito ka magiging successful o dito mo hanapin ang worth mo... si Jesus lang ang nagsabi, "I am the gate." Hindi Niya sinabi na Siya ay isa sa maraming daan. Hindi Niya sinabi na option lang Siya. Pero sinabi Niya na Siya mismo ang pintuan. Siya mismo ang daan papunta sa buhay na hinahanap natin.

Right now, are you feeling lost? Don't know how to find yourself back to God?

Ang pinakamahirap na pagdaanan ng isang Kristiyano ay 'yong sa paningin niya ay nawawala na siya. Yung kahit hanapin niya, hindi siya makabalik. Alam niya ang totoo pero hindi niya alam kung paano.

Personally, I've experienced this. At masasabi kong isa ito sa pinakamabigat na laban sa spiritual life. Kasi mas madaling bumalik kapag alam mo kung saan ka naligaw. Pero paano kung alam mo ang katotohanan, alam mo ang tamang direksiyon, pero pakiramdam mo ay parang may harang sa pagitan mo at ng Diyos? Paano kung nagpe-pray ka pero parang walang nangyayari? Paano kung nagwo-worship ka pero parang wala ka nang maramdaman? Paano kung alam mong mahal ka ng Diyos pero hindi mo maramdaman ang pagmamahal na iyon? Ito ang uri ng pagkawala na hindi nakikita ng ibang tao pero dinadala mo araw-araw sa puso mo.