“God is concerned about YOU.” – Fr. Alex Balatbat
It was nice to see Fr. Alex again, it’s been over a month since he visited Feast Greenhills. It seemed like he lost weight and he did say, around eight pounds. He mentioned that he had hiked Mt. Batulao and followed Bro. Bo Sanchez’s advice to fruitify your breakfast and vegify your lunch. [Eat fruits for breakfast and vegetables for lunch]
It was interesting to me that he mentioned about loving one’s self, because as you know this topic is a little bit close to my heart. I used to think loving one’s self was selfish. But I realized now as Fr. Alex said that the true meaning of loving yourself as God intended is all about stewardship.
“Stewardship is giving importance to what God has given you,” Fr. Alex said as he shared about taking care of his health. It affirmed in me again how important it was to take care of what we have been entrusted with — our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our gifts, our resources. To be a good and faithful steward of these gifts is our gift to God. To take care of what has been entrusted to us, our very selves, is practicing good stewardship.
Fr. Alex said that when we start to think we “own” our bodies, we start doing with it whatever we want but when we realize that we are only stewards entrusted with the temple of the Holy Spirit, we will start taking care of what has been given to us in trust.
What struck me too was when he said: “We are human BEINGS and not human DOINGS. God is concerned about you than what you do.
Are we busy serving and working that we forget about Him? Are we so busy with our ministry and business that we forget to pray? Are we so busy that we are too tired to spend time with God alone and take care of our relationship with Him, to connect to the Source of our being.
God knows your heart’s desires but He is more concerned of who you are becoming (your character) on the road to making your dreams come true. Ultimately, it is your soul who will go to heaven and not your achievements. So, how are you?
When you get tired with all the striving and doing, remember you are a human being. Remember also what Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Maybe it’s about time you pause, take a walk or “have coffee” with the Lord and just be. God is concerned about you. May you find your rest in Him.
