with all i am

as i write this piece, i look ruefully at my index finger. tsk tsk. i wonder if i’d be able to get rid of this indelible ink by tomorrow.. ü

elections in this country trigger so many different responses in us. there are those who spend months diligently checking the backgrounds and track records of each candidate. there are those who love to go into debates over who should get voted in and who should get “booted out.” some campaign nonstop for their candidates of choice. some even kill for politics.

and there are also those who simply do not care.

they are those who sell their votes.. cast their ballots without thinking.. or do not even bother to register at all. whether out of frustration, disillusionment, cynicism or apathy.. some people just choose not to give “this election stuff” importance.

* * *

last saturday, i was blessed to have attended a music ministry workshop sponsored by creative house (with bros. arun gogna & alvin barcelona and sis. rissa singson as speakers). they gave lots of practical advice for those who, like the 350+ of us who attended, are serving as music/worship ministers. they discussed different techniques we could use when singing/playing instruments - how to choose songs for worship.. proper stances when leading worship and other useful tips.

but what really blessed me in that seminar was bro. alvin’s talk called “giving my all as a music minister.” using 1chronicles as his text, he expounded on the importance.. the immense privilege of serving God through our ministry.

and bro. alvin said something that *really* stuck to me: giving your all should *cost* you.

i used to think that the love offerings, the practice hours, the attendance in various community activities were enough proof of my loyal service to God. but one thing i realized during the seminar is this: being in ministry does NOT automatically mean that one is serving the Lord. true service entails more than just attending activities, obeying rules or fulfilling assigned tasks. it requires sacrifice. it requires involvement. and true involvement is always costly. because true involvement is never without heart.

* * *

as members of this community.. and as citizens of this country, i’m sure we each have our own list of things to gripe about. it’s so easy to complain.. so easy to blame others.. so easy to be indifferent.

but if we truly love the Lord, then there is no room for apathy in our hearts.

in my life you`ve heard me say i love You. how do i show you it`s true? hear my heart, it longs for more of you.. i`ve fallen deeply in love with you.. (hillsong united, “deeply in love”)

how do we love our Lord? by loving others. by never giving up on people. by continuing to offer our sacrifices of praise & worship. by fulfilling our duties to the church and the country with a cheerful heart. by being involved. and by trusting that He will bless our humble offerings.. because they were given with a cheerful and loving heart.

jesus i believe in you. jesus i belong to you. you’re the reason that i live.. the reason that i sing with all i am

may all of us may be able to sing this line as our own prayer from the heart ü God bless