By Reni M. Valenzuela
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have been knocking around tricky thorny paths that could lead them to undesirable destinations as individuals and top boxers. They need some changing of “gears” soon enough to make a truly wonderful turnaround in their personal life and boxing career, and perhaps agree to finally make the most-awaited duel of the century in May. Here’s a piece of truth to ponder for this generations two most exciting fighters. God bless them both!
Dear Mayweather and Pacquiao:
You are on a pilgrimage, well headed to a place right where your steps exactly point. And pursuing the Way to a God-ordained destiny is a matter of the heart’s condition more than anything else: “Above all, guard your heart with vigilance, for out of it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
Everything seems good to a person who treks on the wrong route unless he sees the end. Only in darkness you get to enjoy the misleading entrapments of the momentary “bliss” the world offers by denying the Truth to stray from the Path. And because only in the Light you get to recognize the Way, you’re safely in the care of a loving Father who readily brings you back on track as you expose yourself under the Son.
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death.” – Proverbs 16:25. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy.” – Psalm 16:11
Don’t tell Heaven you’re going south when your travel leads you to the north. Tragically, this is the case with millions of people around the world today. They have their feet directed to a destination they never intended to go only to realize late enough nothing can be more miserable. And that nothing can be more tormenting and despairing than to think of the gloriousness of life they have missed when the one single bridge to pass through going back is, alas, gone forever.
Even the Prophet Jonah, being a forthright, honest and rebellious servant of God that he was, did not delude himself and deny he was on his way to Tarsus when he took a ship headed for that same wrong place despite he knew so clearly he was supposed to be moving towards the city of Nineveh as the Almighty instructed him to warn the people of an impending doom and proclaim the message of repentance. Yet Jonah did not escape the horrible consequence of his bad choice if only to correct his heart and make him submit at will to take the right direction instead.
“… When His voice resounds, He holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding.” – Job 37:4,5
No one could be so deaf and blind as the one who wouldn’t hear and see. And be not afraid of echoes and shadows for they merely signify that there is a message deep in the soul and a light shining out in the open finding its way into your life.
It doesn’t matter how despicable your situation in the past may be or how bleak tomorrow may seem to you when you know for sure things were beyond your control, there is no excuse. You have today to move on, but turnaround. Forgive and be humble. It’s never too late. God is good and powerful. Though your life is yours to make, and remake.
Everyday you are confronted with varied options to decide “which way to go.” Your loved ones can only do so much providing guidance and they are certainly not glued to you all the time and in all places. They have basically nothing major to do with your past, present and future. You are young but not a child; you may be old but not without a future.
Possibilities and opportunities are in the palm of your hands.
The door to great joys begins to open as you take the first step to obey. But don’t blame yourself for failures “behind you” since life’s storehouse offers no commodity that brings regret and defeat to a person who has the right attitude; one whose sights are set heavenwards, who learns and keeps on learning out of the circumstances of life, good or bad. For he who never makes mistake indeed will never make discovery.
“One step forward in obedience to Sovereign leading is worth many years of study about it.” – Oswald Chambers
Like it or not, you are what you are because you made your life as such, being the man or woman you emerged to be by deliberately choosing the path and traveling the distance yourself towards that direction. It was your own choosing, not necessarily God`s.
You did not evolve to be a human being. Almighty God created you. But you evolved to be the person that you are now and it was you who re-created yourself.
You are the best as far as God`s ordained destiny for your very life is concerned. No other created being can be better than you in that regard. You have been uniquely fashioned in accordance with God`s infinite grace and wisdom. There is only one you and God has certain designated purposes for you in this world that only you can accomplish to bless mankind and bring glory to His name. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13
You are who you are because of God`s design and you have no recourse but be thankful to Him: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”- Psalm 139:14
Stop the blame game. It was not without your conscious mind functioning that you took those steps from whence you came from, a year or many years back. You are well aware every step of the way.
No one goes to Heaven or hell on account of other people’s decision and action.
Precisely, the main issue is you and it’s all about God and His mighty purposes for your life. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Life is a matter so personal and intimate between you and your Creator. Anything less and beyond this is deception. Others have their own lives to live and likewise they are all exclusively and individually accountable to God. They are themselves and you are yourself, lest you forget. People are important and no man is an island, but essentially you are on your own.
Even the government or the Church has basically nothing to do with whatever plight you may be in at this point in time. Politics, economics, academics and religion are fundamentally irrelevant to your abject or sound condition.
It is not what comes your way that defines the shape of things in your life; it’s how you react and respond to what comes your way. “Not by what life brings to you but by the attitude you bring to life.”
Other than you, nobody else grips and controls your will. Not even God. The Lord guides and is being merciful but He won’t drive nor manipulate you. Whether you’re going to spend life in the Kingdom or in the pit while on earth or in the hereafter, it’s your decision. People may help or hinder you, but they don’t possess you. You’re in charge.
No one reaches a place who does not take the road and travel the required distance going there.
God is most powerful and sovereign but He does not force anyone. Otherwise, there would have been no need for Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save the world. The Lord did His part and did it all. With Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the Gospel of redemption is complete. There is nothing you can add to complement His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. Truly, as He lamented, gasping for His last breath, “It is finished!” Yet He has given man the will to choose and decide.
Now it’s up to you. Your salvation hangs on Calvary to this day and it hinges on your own volition whether or not it can be fully yours any moment you decide. Accept Christ or reject Him!
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT.” – Isaiah 30:21
renimvalenzuela@yahoo.com
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