Thrive

I like what the definition of thrive in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It means to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances.

Why thrive?

2016 has been a year where I came to know myself better as a person and as a young professional. This year was also a year of answered prayers. Having said that, with God’s guidance, I felt that I need to stay longer in Abu Dhabi for a purpose. The purpose is not that clear at the moment, but as I look forward for 2017, I pray that God will be the one who will make all things clear.

In spite of some bumps along the road, I was able to pick up the pieces, and bounce back where I am right now, with the help of God and some people I’ll always be grateful for,

What have I learned from this year?

Let go, and Let God.

There are few moment during this 2016 wherein I have to make necessary decisions in my career. I was on the verge of giving up and asking my manager to really sign another resignation letter. Yes! I attempted once before and tried it again this year. Then when I had a vacation this August, I decided to make it a purpose-driven trip (see my other blog post entitled “A Purpose Driven Trip”.) I was able to visit where my desire to glorify and honor God with the talents He gave me and met a couple of people who was with me on the first few years of my journey of faith with Christ.

What I am grateful for this year?

There are many things that I am grateful for. One of which was the people whom God placed in my life when I started to be connected to the church here in Abu Dhabi. They encouraged me when moments turned out the way I wanted me and when there are times that I am not my usual self. They also challenged me to be my best when serving, honoring and glorifying the Author of my life.

The efforts of these people, whether small or big, helped me to be the person who I am now. I believe it is not an accident that our paths crossed each other and I know that God placed you in my life for a reason, for a specific purpose.

With these people, the picture of what my purpose is becoming clearer.

What I am looking forward to 2017?

I am looking forward on how God’s plan for me and through me will unfold this year. I believe, by faith that these plans will unfold in His perfect time.

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.

Jeremiah 29:11 | NIV

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 | NIV

As we look forward to the coming year, let me share to you one thing that makes me excited for 2017. Throughout 2016, many things happened, both good and bad. I took all the lessons learned from these experiences and will use it to be a better person, to be a better man after God’s own heart.

Circumstances will always be there and cannot be avoided. My prayer for whoever is reading this blog will be excited as I am for 2017 in spite of what lies ahead, that we will thrive and welcome the year with full of hope and confidence with the power of God. Always stay humble no matter what, and blessings will follow. 

A Purpose-driven Trip

Being an OFW was not easy thing to do.

You have to brave every obstacle that comes into your life, battling it alone, since you are far away from your family. You have to really manage what you have in order to send money home and fill in those balikbayan boxes.

Vacation… It’s another annual leave! Yehey! This could be the days that an OFW, like me, looks forward to, because they can see their love ones again and spend time with them. But there’s a catch! We have only a limited time.

But what are my plans?

For me, I am blessed to be given this chance to go home for a vacation, even though it was just 8 months since I had my first vacation.

Taking you back on my first trip back home, it was during the most festive and happiest season for the entire year, Christmas and New Year! Not only I am able to spend the holidays with my family and relatives, I was able to spend some time with some friends whom I was not able to see for a year and a half.

So why a purpose-driven trip?

Towards the day of my 2^nd trip back home, the usual pre-trip jitters arrive like preparing your hand over at work, which is not easy at all though you have prepared everything. Also, there are some last minute shopping and activities.

Before I leave work, someone said something to me, and it’s about the happiness I feel at work. Yes, I must admit that I am not happy anymore at work because of a plenty of reasons. With that thought on my mind, I decided to make this trip a purpose-driven one.

While the day of my flight comes near, there’s one question that swims on my mind, “WHY?” I felt like I am looking for something, not someone, but something that would make me feel I’m fine. So I decided to have a purpose-driven trip to answer my WHY.

It was a 28-day vacation. Thinking the number of days I have, I can’t help but to ask for extension, as what most OFWs are asking for, so that they could more days with their families.

I’m trying to squeeze in my schedule to meet some friends from church and former colleagues. To think that I’m party responsible for organizing a birthday party of my niece, I really need to carefully budget my time, without sacrificing my time for my family. So I have prepared beforehand a calendar as well as a list of people I wanted to visit.

Gladly, I was able to meet most of them, though there are still other people from that list whom I was not able to see. I feel so blessed meeting my mentors, former colleagues in Makati, and some very close friends from church, in spite of our their busy schedules and my limited time for the vacation.

From those small talks, I was able to partly answer my WHY, why I am here on my present situation/ season. I was refreshed by the words and the time they shared. It’s nice to see their faces and smiles.

To answer my WHY before starting this trip, here’s a rundown of my take home from this vacation.

• Seize every moment as much as possible.

I had a very limited time back home for this 2^nd vacation. But within those 28 days, I was able to meet some close friends, mentors and former colleagues and I was reminded what I am fighting for, on why I am running this race, and why I am in this particular season. I wish I had to spend more time with them.

•  Be specific in your prayers

I had a chance to talk to the man who helped me to be closer to God. We haven’t met each other for almost two years. But this time, I made sure that I could meet him. It’s so refreshing. We were able to catch up. As we part ways, one thought stayed on my mind and that I be specific with your prayers.

I definitely miss those moments I had with my parents, siblings as well as those closest friends whom I really treasure.

As I am thinking of a take home from this blog, as I said on the early parts of this blog that I was reminded why I am running this race that God has given me, including the moment when I first encountered God on that 7PM youth service at Victory Ubelt.

I was reminded of the four words I used, or should I say the four things that help me to win the battles I had: perseverance, faith, hope and excellence.

• ·         Persevering not ceasing

In this part of my life, there are times that I really want to end everything and give up because I feel that it’s a dead end. Despite if the challenges I had face, responsibilities to fulfill and those seemingly hard tasks, I chose to continue and persevere, instead of quitting.

• ·         Faith not Doubt; Hope not despair

I was this type of guy who easily gives up when things are not going the way I wanted

to. I wanted to quickest way out of the current situation. I have faith in God, and trust

Him that He is working in my life.  

 Excellence comes when you have the three (perseverance, faith and hope.)

This season, where I am now, isn’t that easy. But everything comes with a purpose, a purpose that would make you not to give up, but a purpose for you to persevere and to stand strong, a purpose to build your faith and learn to trust everything to Him. It was His hands who have been working in my life since the day I started knowing Him.