Proclaiming the Gospel of Life

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?”
Mark 4:21

These words of Jesus spoke to my flickering missionary heart.

As a missionary, I am always expected to boldly proclaim the Gospel at all times and in all places. It sounds courageous, selfless, and heroic even for others. But in reality, the call to proclaim the gospel in this generation is formidable especially in our “woke” generation. Often, I would feel so little to be used by God to speak in front of hundreds of people.
There were times when I prepare for my talks or wait for my session to begin that I would swiftly glance around the room and have a quick  scan of my audience and imagine them often ready to throw an intimidating look at me and earnest to raise their hands and speak up while I was giving a talk, wishing to beat down all the points I have shared and presented. It would often lead me to unnecessary anxiety. But thankfully, all my negative thoughts would always end with God assuring me of His love and mercy. He would remind me again and again that the people who will hear what I will speak about in every session need the Gospel. They need the Good News so that they may live life according to God’s plan for them. But more so, I need to proclaim the Gospel because this is what I am called to. I would be selfish not to share the best gift in my life that I have received and that is knowing Jesus Christ. I need to proclaim the gospel so that more people would find the real meaning of life.

It’s always scary but the power of the Holy Spirit empowers me to speak with confidence because what I am speaking about marriage, family, and life is the truth. There’s nothing more that can give you confidence when you know you are on the side of the truth.

So the next time you are given the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, say yes. Let the light of Christ shine brightly in your life so that others may see Him. Step in faith and our good Lord will help you accomplish what you must.

A Single Choice Echoes On

Every February is celebrated as the Pro-Life Month in the Philippines and when we hear Pro-Life we often think about birth, babies, the fight against abortion and similar advocacies. Of course there are many aspects to the Pro-Life movement such as defense of marriage and the family but today I would like to zoom in on abortion. Growing up, I have been blessed with a close bond with my mother. Even though I did not get any special treatment, I know that I was deeply loved and cared for. My mother and I talk and bond often. 

But there was one particular conversation that we had just recently, roughly a month after my grandfather passed away. She told me that during my grandfather’s wake, she discovered how her mother (now my grandmother) considered aborting her when she was in her womb. The suggestion came from my grandfather. At that time, they were a young couple who were struggling financially in the late 1960s. The news of having a third child was not something that they looked forward to. It meant one more mouth to feed. Another child to rear. Another child to send to school. Another life to care for. But the suggestion never came to be and both decided to entrust the pregnancy and their family life to God. The pregnancy eventually came to full term and my grandmother gave birth to their first daughter — a strong and lovely child on March 27, 1969. This little girl was my mother. 

This story was a huge revelation because in the family we all know that abortion is wrong. There is a common understanding that it is a great offense against God. After hearing what my mother shared, I also had a powerful realization – that I am so blessed that my grandparents chose life. I am so grateful that they chose to give birth to my mother. Had they chosen to abort her, I would not be here. Had they chosen to give her up, she would not have become the amazing teacher, mother, wife, friend, aunt, and friend that she is. 

Moreover, I am blessed that they have chosen my mother. Because when they chose her it meant giving her millions of possibilities. It meant giving her a shot to a future full of hope. It meant giving their family a chance. She was the first among her siblings to graduate from college. She eventually became a licensed teacher. Because she was given the chance at life, she was given a chance to have her own family. She had me and my four other siblings.  And this choice echoes on to our generation.

If my grandparents had chosen to abort my mother, I would not have had the same chance at life. I would not have experienced the joy and bliss of living this life, uncertain and sometimes messy as it may be. My life is far from what the world calls ideal. I have felt brokenness through the years and my heart has been crushed countless times. I still have days when I struggle so hard to face my personal battles. But even if life is imperfect and sometimes leaves me wounded, I would still choose life. In living, I have the opportunity to love and be deeply loved. Ultimately, I would choose life over and over again because in it, I have had the chance to know Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Lord and Savior.

So thank you grandparents for choosing life. Thank you for choosing to save my mother. You have saved my life.  

And to you who’s reading this, I hope this serves as a reminder to choose life at all times. Choose to see life not as a burden but instead as a wonderful blessing from our Almighty Father. Your life choices matter and they will resonate beyond your generation.