MRT Enlightenment

One afternoon while walking, as I have always done, on my way to the train station,
a friend tapped me on the back and then joined me in walking. We had a little
conversation while waiting for the train to arrive. The volume of people was more
than usual for that time. The train arrived and we were able to squeeze ourselves
in. People pushed me further in; away from my friend. People got in the way and set
us apart. I got off the coach not having been able to bid farewell to my friend. Then I
set off to our house walking alone again.

Funny, how this simple experience brought me to a realization that separations

make us holy; that is, being set apart.

Parting empties us.

I remembered parting ways with my high school peers emptied a lot of space in my
heart. So I went around looking for things to fill me in. I searched in the wrong
places but God knew how to make me find Him and I did! The emptiness was filled
with so much joy and a new life; I was never the same again.

I joined this group of young college students in our university who were serious with
their faith. The new life I have in Christ has been greatly supported by that group.
They helped me experience the reality of Jesus in our midst. One young missionary
focused in guiding me with my sprouting journey in the faith. Good things never last
as they say, this missionary friend had to leave and fulfill his personal calling. I
panicked and thought that I will be left desolate. God found a way to remind me
that it is He whom I am following and my friend was just an instrument. So, instead
of lamenting over my friend’s leaving, I continued with my journey inspired of
reaching and fulfilling my personal call as well. That parting made me cling to God
more closely for the things of this world are temporary as compared to Him who will
remain for eternity.

Parting makes us holy.

To signify the sincerity of my commitment to live for God, I had to give up old ways.
The old ways that would be incongruent to the Truth for which I am living. I had to
give up vices, habits, and even friends just to support my decision. For things that I
have given up, the Lord did not left me empty-handed. I grew in the new habit of
praying and reading & reflecting on the scriptures. I gained friends more committed
than those I left. Gradually, the old self faded away into the background. The
maturing new self grew in boldness and confidence in bringing others into the same
experience. The new self has been striving to be more like Jesus – to be more holy.

We are in the world but not of the world.

It is true that I had to depart from things to be set-apart. I had to remember also
that I have been set-apart to be part of something beyond my comprehension. I
depart from the world, but not from the Lord. I have to attach myself to the vine to
be divine. For the God who called us to be His has given us grace upon grace so
that we will not lack any good thing. Only through Him will we find life forever. We
may find ourselves walking alone on the road, but let your spiritual eyes see the
others who are journeying with us. Let those eyes see Him who leads, guides,
inspires, and called us to be holy.