WHAT DOES GOD WANT YOU TO DO?

If you watch people who are fulfilling God's purpose in their life, you will notice that their motivation is high. They have amazing endurance to overcome obstacles. They are always growing and learning. There's real joy in what they do.

It amazes other people how faithful Christians breeze through life --- in good time, and in bad times. Having a strong faith in God is a key that really lifts them up in life. And having defined their life's purpose in tune with God is the one thing that keeps them going.

There are actually many people who go through life without discovering God's purpose for their life. Life just goes on and on without you knowing it. And there's no despair or sadness in not realizing it at all. Yet, to miss out on your life's purpose is to miss out on why God created you.

Whether your job is in a church or in a business enterprise, we were all created with a purpose. Along with that purpose, should we discover it, are gifts from God that would guide us in living the life He planned for us. Yes, we were gifted and called by God. If only people could realize this they would enjoy a more blessed life and take their assignments from God seriously!

Here are some questions to help you find your life's assignment:

What are the "raw materials" available? God has given you a certain temperament and talents, and you have to honor your raw material.

What unlocks your compassion? It's quite amazing to realize that sometimes the problem that infuriates you most is the problem you were born to solve.

Why do I do this? There's a big difference between doing something because you believe God has called you to do it, versus doing what your parents, your friends or your ego wants you to do.

What are my limitations? Knowing what you're called to do often starts with discovering what you're not called to do. When you can accept your limitations, you're on the road to understanding your life's assignment.
So let's be clear: you have an assignment. It has to do with what God hard-wired into you. You must seek it with an open mind. When people pretend to be something they're not, they live with a chronic sense of inadequacy and set themselves up for a lifetime of frustration. Don't do that. Be ruthlessly open to the truth about yourself. Your life's assignment is something you discover, not something you choose.

Share and Feel the True Spirit of Christmas

(A theological reflection of reaching-out our brethren in Umapad Dumpsite)

Sitting before the TV and seeing on the screen which featured the landscapes, the rivers, lakes and mountains, and seeing the winding roads and skyscrapers spread out over the earth. I have wondered why there were people living in poverty. How they would survive in the smoky mountain of garbage. The astronauts seeing over the blue planet from their space shuttle were so overwhelmed by them to believe that its inhabitants were people having hard time to find what to eat each day.

Distance sometime helps us t get a sharper vision of our human condition and to raise some very good critical questions! Let us take a look at our world not from a distance but from the actual experiences of the lives of our brethren. Let us look at the lives of our scavengers (brothers and sisters) in Umapad dumpsite, Mandaue City.

Jesus always looked at the human condition and tried to teach us to look as he did. I had been in Umapad dumpsite for an apostolate imparting the words and love of God. The lives there were too familiar to me because I had been a scavenger once. I met Cerilo and Crystal, both of them were scavengers. There were living together without the sacrament of matrimony yet besides were blessed with two kids; Cyril Mae, three years old and Salvino, eight months old. Salvino has newly recovered from dengue and still suffering another ailment, two months cough without taking any prescribe medicine. His malnourish child and need help for fast recovery.

Moreover, the family came from a catholic genealogy and despite of their own hardships in life, I haven’t heard any single words of regret during our conversation. They were contented of what they have. Neither day nor night Cerilo managed well his time from digging some salable materials in the garbage, to his piggery and then to have quality time of his family. Undeniably, the common ailments of the community are cough and asthma due to smoke from the dumpsite. However, the rest of the people there are untidy or without proper hygiene but healthy.

On the second day of our apostolate, the family was surprisingly received the groceries upon handed it over. I’ve seen no lack of hesitation of my fellow seminarians in helping others. In brief, I had seen only people filled with God’s love. This is God’s wish for us to serve through love in action. Jesus Christ gave us a beautiful blue print for sharing. He shared his body to us in the mystery of the Eucharist. Share and feel the true spirit of Christmas not only at this season but each day of our lives by giving love and time to others as we imitate the love of Christ to us.

Marcelino Rapayla's Photography used from different official websites

I'm so grateful with my passion in photography as amatuer some of my photos was used in an official websites. I was given a credit in my name and for me it is an achievement. Thanks God and friends who have taught me how to use my camera and enchance my ability to capture some good photo angles.

The following websites used my photos:
1. City of Bogo Official Website: The Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

2. Suroy Videos Portal: Suroy-suroy 2008

3. Mindful Worship Meditation #25 – The Fruit of the Spirit is Love: Agape - the heart of Bible pages

4. Wikipedia: Sinulog Festival - Fluvial Procession

5. Lighthouses of the Southern Philippines: Capitancillo Island (lighthouse)