WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE CHRIST’S DISCIPLE?

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
–Matthew 17:24

For me, this line seemed so ordinary that I didn’t really understand what Jesus meant with “taking up my cross.” I know I am nothing without Him and He can build up His kingdom even without me but if there is any way, anything where He could use me in establishing His kingdom, then I would humbly submit my whole self to Him. Then, when I finally prayed for Him to use me as an instrument for other people to also be saved, I realized how hard it is to follow Him. True enough, it is not easy to be a disciple of Christ.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
–Matthew 17:24

As Jesus said, “Men would hate you because of me, but stand firm and you will be saved. You are my servant and I am your master. No servant is greater than his master so if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. In this world I will not promise that there is no trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I never really imagined how hard it is to follow him. I never thought it would be this painful yet as the song goes, “I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord,” I will find joy in all of my sorrows. He also said that “Find delight in your weaknesses; boast in all your sufferings for I am always with you even in your lowest moments. I will never abandon you nor forsake you. When you are weak, then you are strong” What would life be without Him? I’d rather suffer than live a life without Him. Why would I worry when He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I am holding on to His promises. I am one of the “endangered species” in this world who lives by true faith and God has chosen me. In Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.” I would be His disciple and take in with a light heart all of the insults, hardships and sufferings because it is when I am weak that I am truly strong. Why would I be anxious about my tomorrow when I know that the God who is high above but looks low is praying for me and is mindful of me? He would calm every storm in my heart because He is in control. Worrying is an insult to Him, it is just an affirmation of how little my faith is to Him so in my every day, I will not worry nor be anxious because with Him there is joy and He will always be enough.

In all days of my life, I would continue to live by faith and pray that He will water the seed of faith that he has planted in my heart. I would wait for the day when the seed he has planted in me will grow into a tree where birds could find food in it, where people could rest under it, and where people could find refuge in it.

I am a Princess and He is my Prince. <3

I could still remember how Ms. Loyola, my english teacher, made me feel when she discussed about making a reflection paper. I then thought of what to write. Honestly, all I had in my mind was to write about my one and only love – Jesus Christ. I am His princess and He is my prince charming.
Many times in my life, I thought I was so lost and He was so far away. Every night when I pray, I doubted if He even hears me. We have met so many times before yet I didn’t care at all. But suddenly, at the most unexpected circumstance, we met again. I found myself buried 6 ft. or perhaps 60 ft. below the ground somewhere in the largest desert in MY world. Then, this prince charming of mine came into MY world and searched me in the cold and dark desert. He dug me up using his hands. I could see Him sweating so hard, yet He didn’t care. I heard Him calling out my name every second but I didn’t notice Him tire nor did I see Him at the peak of giving up. In that desert, He dug up in places where I wasn’t there until finally, He was successful in finding me. After He found me, He embraced me so tight and it overwhelmed me. How can the prince of the world love me this much? Why would the king of all kings care to look for me and patiently dig the whole desert just to find me? I have hurt this man so many times before yet He told me, “I will love you until you hurt me no more.” I found myself swimming in my own tears, “how can someone love me so much?” I asked myself every day. Later did I know I had fallen in love with him. I don’t remember the exact day I fell in love with Him but one morning, I just woke up realizing that I was undeniable and irrevocably in love with Him. Every day I read his word and talked to him about 101% of my whole day. His love is just so perfect that I couldn’t think of anything else. His love is unfailing and constant. Truly, even if I lost the world, so long as I have my prince, why would I care? I don’t care whoever rejects me because they are nothing compared to Him who accepts me. I have fallen so many times and in my every fall, he helped me stood up yet I took him for granted but this time, I will devote my whole self to him. He is my one true love, my soul mate, my savior. My life is all that I could offer and yet even my life, I don’t consider enough but this is all I have. I would let my every day be a conversation with him and I would let myself be a signboard that would lead everyone to him. I will let my life become a living testimony that He is true, alive and good. No matter what challenges and obstacles I will meet in this world, I would never give up. I would never fear. His love for me will save me. His pure and unfailing love will comfort me.
I have finally found the one who can give me true happiness; a happiness that is beyond measure; a happiness that is too complicated to put into words. He is the reason of my being and truth of my existence, what else could I ask for? Now, if anyone would ask me, “Who are you”, I would then say “I am Jesus’ princess,” then give to the person my warmest smile.

How about you? Who are you? 