The Aranzan students in front of the Municipal office as a preventive measure after the unanticipated earthquake.
Kinakausap lang kita kapag akoy nangangailangan (Lord Patawad by Basilyo)
When was the last time you ever spoke to God? Was it when you asked pardon for your immoralities, thanked Him for the blessings and achievements you received, or asked for another petition you desire to be granted like safety during calamities? Earthquakes had been taking place around the country and recently, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit and jolted Luzon arousing the vigilance and cooperation of the people in times of these bewildering events. These types of trials and occurrences usually serve as an eye-opener to bring us all back to Him and strengthen our faith but let us not make it into a habit where we only remember God in times of trouble and adversities. We must always acknowledge God at all times and take time to communicate with Him even if we are at our lifes peak or downfall. Our prayers shouldnt only be filled of numerous petitions but also thanksgiving to everything He has been giving us along our journey. All of us must learn that God deserves more than just treating Him like an ATM machine where we only come back when we are in need. His love and compassion is something all of us must treasure because despite of our transgression He welcomes all of us back into conversion.
There may be three basic tips to survive an earthquake which is known to be as DUCK, COVER and HOLD but today we are picturing these tips as a way of strengthening our faith in God. The three basic tips to survive a jolting event in our life:
- DUCK-DROP DOWN all your pride and materialistic pleasures. Money, fame and power only leads to sin thus no one must not depend on these and live a simpler life closer to Him with restored faith. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.-Proverbs 16:8
- COVER-With your renewed faith, God will COVER you away from all evil and temptation. In His light we will find shelter and protection. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.-Thessalonians 3:3
- HOLD- Always HOLD on to God and prepare to follow His guidance because in Him youll only find eternal peace and safety. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.-Zephaniah 3:17
Calamities shouldnt always serve as an eye-opener for us to repent and go back to Him. We must find time to communicate with God through prayers and let Him feed our soul with His perpetual love and compassion because in Him alone are we saved. (Mariele Aquino)
Mariele Aquino
Junior Writer, Website Team, Media Ministry
Mariele R. Aquino is a member and website writer of the NSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, an aspiring future medical specialist and currently a STEM senior high school student in the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. Her principle in life is that genuine success is something achieved through a path and battlefield of dodging a thousand bullets without the course of self-centered desires and conducts for temporary existential accomplishment. As a form of simple youthful religious fervor, Mariele used her skills, talent and dedication in writing to serve her Lord but also to grow not only intellectually but more on spiritually.
