Rain, Lightning, Triple Choco Boom, Ninoy

I was on my way out of our office building when I noticed that the rain was strong outside. Coupled with strong winds and lightnings, it was total chaos outside. I decided then to stay for a while and let the storm ease up a bit. I headed for the food park on the third floor, bought triple choco boom from Country Style, and took a window side seat to watch the fireworks outside; lightning bolt.

While i was munching away on the chocolate covered pastry, i couldn't help but hear the conversation of two men seated at the table opposite mine. The first guy was a bit stout, wore glasses, had short hair, and did most of the talking. The other man was slim, had long hair, did most of the nodding in agreement to the other guy. I heard them talk about movies. The stout guy told the other guy not to watch Babylon AD because it sucks. He did however recommend The Dark Knight, which he claimed had 94% consistent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I was glad to hear that....i am, after all, a Batman fan.

The conversation shifted to Ninoy. I heard the stout guy ask, "If Ninoy didn't die, would he still be respected or viewed the way people see him now? or would he be despised in the same way as our current leaders?" The thin guy didn't answer immediately, which prompted the stout guy to say, "i think he will be seen like our current leaders." According to him, Ninoy had no plans of dying. The reason why we hail him as a hero today was because he died and the media glorified his image. His plan was actually to get Marcos' blessing to be his successor to the presidency. Ninoy's plan was to become president. Ninoy had agreements with the ASEAN, Japan, and the MNLF. I didn't hear most of what those agreements were since i was also preoccupied in watching the lightning bolts as they hit lighting rod after lightning rod on top of buildings. I heard him say, "The Filipino is worth dying for. Yeah right! Ninoy had no plans of dying."

To some extent, i agree with him. The part where.."if ninoy didn't die..."...that part. If Ninoy didn't die and he became president, we would probably label him no better then the "trapos" that are now seated in the system and taking advantage of the taxes that you and i pay every month during payday. Now, whether or not he conspired with the ASEAN or MNLF cannot be proven as of yet. At least i haven't seen any documents that support such things. It may or may not be true. I guess we will never see what would've happened if Ninoy didn't die. All we can do now is accept the fact that he died, and his death triggered one of the most prominent events in Filipino history.

After the ninoy episode, i decided I heard enough and seen enough lightning for one night. I stood up and headed home.

Dilemmas of a young Adventist: Finding the right Job

A young Adventist, after finishing a college degree, hunts for a job. He applies in different companies. In his first application he makes it to the final interview and is told that he is most suited for the job, but at the final interview he is asked if he can work on Saturdays. This comes as a shock to the young man, he pauses for a while to think, then politely answers that he is not able to. The interviewer tries to convince the young man that there is nothing bad in working during Saturdays, and assures him that God will understand. The young Adventist again politely answers with a firm NO. He is then informed that the company cannot hire him. He is dismissed and he leaves the company premises teary eyed. The same scenario replays itself seven times in his quest for a job. Second, third, fourth, fifth time, he gets frustrated and starts to question God. In the sixth instance he starts to entertain working on Sabbath, and in the seventh time he accepts the job even though he has to work on Saturdays. He completely turns his back on his religious principles and turns away from God. He then becomes successful and amasses a fortune and becomes an elite of this nation. He is never seen in the church ever again. The man dies of a heart attack at age 60.

This is a dilemma for most Adventist young people. You try to apply for a job and you get rejected just because you can’t work on Saturday. As Adventists, we should not see this as something negative, but as an experience to grow from. This is a test of faith that will determine how strong you really are. Do not expect that life will be easier after finishing school, it is not. Do not expect that you will get a job right after graduating from college. Reality bites, and temptations wait. The enemy has many tactics and this is one of them. You will be offered a job, with a salary way over your expectations, but the condition is you will have to work on Saturdays. I remember my first time in applying for a job. My initial interview went well, but at my second interview, I was asked if I could work on Saturday, and I said, “No.”. I was dismissed and I left the interview room in despair. I applied in another company and I was lucky enough to make it in the final interview, and was accepted for the job. During the contract signing, I realized that I was obliged to work on some Saturdays. I thought to myself, “I could probably negotiate my schedule.” – This would turn out differently. My entire seven months in the job was not very productive. My relationship with the Lord was at its lowest. Realizing my mistake, I earnestly prayed to the Lord for a way out, and He did not deny me my request. At the end of the seventh month, I was transferred to Manila, and was given a very desirable work schedule Monday to Friday; 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and I am proud to say I was also given a raise. Praise the Lord for that!

A lot have fallen, like the young Adventist and I, but I pray that you will not fall into this trap. Stand firm in the principles that we hold dear. Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Do not lose hope for God has plans for you and me. But “in case” you fall, and I hope you don’t, ask Him for help. He helped my escape; I am very much sure He will help you too.

Keep in mind that earthly things are temporary and that our goal is not in this world. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 (KJV)