Have you?

Just woke up a few minutes ago... now I'm gonna get ready to go to the sunday service @ Republic of Malate. Hmmm, I have a sore throat (again!)... Wahhh! How will I sing for the Lord later at service? How will I talk to my students this week?

Usually we only get to appreciate things, senses, and talents given by God when you lose it. Think about this my friend... have you used the senses, talents He has given you at all? If so, another question... how did you use it? If not - why?

Below are a couple of stories from my life that I'd like to share with you guys

The Sketching Story

When I was in grade school I used to draw (pencil, pastels, charcoal)... I drew landscapes and people... in fact I even entered drawing contests - I can say that I was good at it! Then came a point where I simply given-up drawing (high school)... and one time while walking, I met my grade school art teacher; you can say that he's my mentor with regards to the drawing and painting. He asked me "Hello Norman, kamusta?" I replied "Ok lang sir" with a smile. He then asked me "O, nag-draw-drawing ka pa ba?" I then replied "Sir hindi na". With a sad face he said "Sayang naman". His words and the expression on his face still haunt my thoughts till this very day.

The Tae Kwon Do Varsity

In highschool, my friend Ligert asked me to join the Tae Kwon Do club. At first it was simply exercise but as the months past by my view on Tae Kwon Do transformed; from exercise to serious pursuit of the art. I can say the pursuit was because of my friend’s passion for the art and my respect and admiration to our mentor Mr. Rolly Paterno. Tae Kwon Do was my world was in everything that I do.

Then the last tournament that I and Ligert had for LSGH came, National Tae Kwon Do Championship (the biggest event in all of Philippine Tae Kwon Do events wherein there are 5 fighters and for the entire team to advance 3/5 must win their individual matches). After several months of training... after all the pain... here is the arena to prove myself... and to give honor to my school, my team mates and my mentor. But during that time I had to overcome adversity, there was an oversight on the weight category that I was in. I was overweight by 10lbs and had to remove those pounds in a week’s time. It was the lowest and the most painful time of my all highschool days - but my mentor stuck with me through that endeavor. With Sir Rolly's help I reached the required weight, but at a price. All the hardwork, the training has gone to waist... I was famished! I felt weak! The speed and power of my kicks, my reflexes have all been diminished due to that 1 week’s journey.

But I can't simply give-up! During the two days tournament - I fought with my all my heart! During the team huddle Sir Rolly even commented "I'd like to commend Norman, his attitude, kita nyo naman na wala syang lakas pero he still fought ang gave his all. Let's have that attitude, that heart". My friend Ligert also encouraged me. Our team won battle after battle but came the turning point of it all... we lost our bronze medal fight... the only time that me and Ligert lost. After the match Sir Rolly talked to me and Ligert. He said thanks for our effort and dedication; he encouraged us to continue our pursuit of Tae Kwon Do even in our college days... and even said that with hard work we might even end up in the Philippine team. (We were in tears as Sir Rolly said though encouraging words). It's sad that Ligert and I stopped Tae Kwon Do when we reached our 2nd year in college.

Conclussion

Now thinking about my past... here are men who believed in my skills, my talents... men who saw something in me, who encouraged me to use my skills & talents... and I simply put it to waste. I can simply imagine what could have happened if I continued with my drawing... my art work might already be in different art galleries... if I pursued Tae Kwon Do... I could be fighting right now for the glory of our nation.

In the past, I drew and fought to please my mentors and other people. The result is I gave-up. I started the race but never did I finish it. Yes I had passion... but never did I channel that passion to a greater pursuit... for a greater purpose. Yes I was out to please someone... but not THE ONE who gave me ALL the gifts and talents that I have.

When I think of my mentors right now... the sadness on their face knowing that I gave up... that I didn't use the skills and talents given to me... I think of how God must have been feeling all this time. From my birth until my adulthood I have a squandered what He has given. Me - not going to my full potential! Me limiting myself! Me not using his gifts for His glory. Me not doing what He has planned for me! Me not doing His will!

Open your Bible and read Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents).

God gave us all these gifts; the more you use the gifts that He gave can lead to new gifts... a grander purpose... I can imagine now that if I used my gift of drawing, I would have excelled and might have lead to me knowing how to paint and not simply sketch... it would be an instrument for me in advancing God's kingdom. Or if I pursued Tae Kwon Do, I might be in the Philippine Team right now and again... God would have used me for His purpose there.

I know God gave me the gift of teaching... he also gave me a talent for singing... and now, having this relationship with Jesus Christ - I get to appreciate the love that God have for me. Grabe bro! He's a very very loving God talaga! Everyday He shows me what he gave - and I didn't know that I had them all along pala. Bro, I'm simply am scratching the surface of His majesty... His gifts for me... and I'm ecstatic! C'mon! Now I'm going to use the gifts that I know I have... teaching and singing... unlike my younger years where I would do things to please people... this time... I'm going to please My God! When I said that I will follow you Lord... I made a covenant! I will finish this race! I will be God's champion! I will use everything that He has given me for His purpose for His kingdom for His Glory!

I will teach my students not only academics but what life is all about... about values... about faith... I will use God's gift of singing as I train under the Music Ministry and I know one day God will ask me to perform for Him and sing for Him in front of the children of God.

I will teach and sing with my heart and my soul... when I'm weak... I'll call upon the Lord to grant me the strength to overcome any obstacle... so that I can further His kingdom here on earth!

I encourage you to use it! It's God given!

Friend, what do you think you'll answer when God asks you when you're judged... what have you done with the gifts I given you? I pray it's not - "wala... I opted to watch TV and party all day and night"

Going back to my questions at the start of my post.

Usually we only get to appreciate things, senses, and talents given by God when you lose it. Think about this my friend... have you used the senses, talents He has given you at all? If so, another question... how did you use it? If not - why?