Taking the Heat!

We decided to have a picture taken at the Al Ain Desert in the UAE. The sight was breathtaking -- a sea of sand: ever changing, ever beautiful. Yet, I don't think I could even stand for 40 minutes in the blazing heat of the desert! I suddenly remembered the 40 years in the desert of the Israelites.  It is in this context that the Chosen people of God were molded -- without air-conditioning! What kept them going was the promise of a new land of their own; although in the journey they have been complaining (which I could now relate), and even unfaithful to God by fashioning a golden calf while Moses was us up in the mountain conversing with God. Despite their unfaithfulness, God remained faithful; and indeed through Joshua they entered the Land of Promise.

In life, we sometimes take the heat.  Some would say (in Filipino), "Napag-initan ako" or translated to : "Someone doesn't like me and is purposely putting me down -- I'm taking the heat from this person."  St. Paul would encourage us through his experience, "We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Cor. 4: 8-9).

Let the example of  endurance that the Israelites and St. Paul showed while "taking the heat" inspire us to move forward; for there is a promise of a new land -- "flowing with milk and honey".  Let His will be done, for what God wants is to mold us into like Christ; and the heat we are taking may be the very Cross that would lead us to the Father.

The Tenacity of St. Paul

One of the traits often heard of St. Paul is his tenacity. Tenacity is to stick with something even when the going gets tough. He was tenacious, for he knew the truth and pressed on.   He even arrived at the conviction that "to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)." He also expressed, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair (2 Cor. 4:8)."

St. Paul was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, yet he continued in his missionary journey. He knew that what He had to spread was beyond himself. He knew that the Christ is risen and he encountered Him personally.  The Christ whose followers he persecuted, he then served.

Every time I read about the missionary life of St. Paul, I am humbled by the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice that he offered for our Lord. I find myself complaining about the little things or difficulties while here is St. Paul who at his utmost inconvenience in prison, was able to write letters that have become guideposts in our Christian living.

Lord, remind me about St. Paul when I am about to give up because of discouragements and trials.  Enlighten me always about the truth of Your salvation, and that you have given me the mission to spread this good news. Amen.