Presence over Performance
Naaalala ko ang isang pangyayari noong bata pa ako. Grade 1 ako noon nang maging third honor lang ako sa klase. Noong Kinder kasi, lagi akong first honor. Kaya nang malaman ni Mama na bumaba ang ranking ko, ramdam ko ang galit at disappointment niya sa akin. Isa ito sa mga hindi magandang memories na mayroon ako kasama si Mama.
I think that was the beginning of my frustration with the pressure to always perform, as well as with classmates who were highly competitive and constantly pushed themselves to achieve better grades than everyone else.
May isang classmate ako na laging nagtatanong kung ano ang score ko sa mga tests. Naiinis ako minsan, pero naaawa rin ako sa kanya. Perhaps that was also one of the reasons why, when I delivered my valedictory speech at my college graduation, I chose to highlight the value of relationships over grades and academic achievements.
Marami sa atin ang nasanay na sukatin ang sarili sa achievements natin. Kapag productive tayo, feeling natin mahalaga tayo. Kapag hindi, parang kulang tayo.
Pero alam mo ba. Hindi ganoon ang tingin ni Jesus sa atin. Bago Niya tayo tawaging servants, tinawag muna Niya tayong beloved children (John 15:15)
In the story of Martha and Mary, Mary chose to sit in the presence of Jesus, over performance. In the Kingdom of God, we don’t have to work to earn His love. We serve because we have already received His love. His grace is what gives us the strength to serve with joy, not because of pressure or obligation.
Ito ang paanyaya namin sa iyo, tanungin ang sarili mo ngayon: “Naglilingkod ba ako kay Lord para makuha ang approval Niya, o dahil alam kong mahal na Niya ako?”
Let’s pray this together, “Lord, help me receive from You first, and from there, help me bless others as Your love overflows through me. Amen.”
Tandaan mo, isa kang miracle!
