As Christ’s followers, dedicating ourselves to Him is a pre-requisite. Yes, we are not complete without Christ. We can enumerate as many kilometric limitations as we can. We can state as many reasons as possible that we can state. But when we are being called to serve, there is only one great choice that we should make and that is to follow Jesus. You need to trust God with all your heart.

In a problematic scenario, you can ask for many options! Jesus did (Luke 22:42)! But, ultimately, it’s your heart that tells the real story. Do you want God’s will, or do you want your own?

Our limitations and weaknesses will be healed and completed by our faith in Jesus. Consider Jesus’ words on the subject. He tells us it’s possible to partake in miraculous manifestations that aren’t true manifestations of himself: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23). Let us be the real servant of Christ that serves the people.

When you’re obedient to God, it proves your faith and love for Him. A good example of being obedient to His calling is when you feel an inner “push” to do something good for someone else.

Another would be that so so-called inner voice” that reminds you that what you’re about to do is a sin. As His disciples on earth, we must follow Christ’s example and obey his commands.

Following Jesus may sound simple, but it’s not easy. In a world, full of disappointment, hate, and anger, Christians are supposed to be light (Matthew 5:16). When you learn how to follow Jesus and act on some of the resolved resolutions, you’ll find greater satisfaction, feel more content, and at peace, even when you’re struggling. You’ll also be able to handle problems that come your way with God’s strength and courage.

We gathered here in formation program for Servant Leaders to share with one another our aspirations and experiences. We know that God created this world for us to live in harmony. We had our yesterdays of yearning. Today, we have the intention to serve GOD by coming up with a resolution of renewed mission. Give us the energy to reconcile our thoughts and actions. He empowers all of us in becoming consistent with our cause. Jesus, our Savior, and companion enlighten us further to discern the differences between truth and untruth. We are making our standpoint and viewpoint in accordance with God’s will. The Holy Spirit is letting our faith becomes a solidarity action in changing the circumstances of this world. Let all our actions be an offering of transformative love and action. The embodiment of our faith thru servant leadership is commanding us to be more engaging in the proactive, and productive mission of GOD. We have to look for more inspiration in doing the ministry of the churches. Our fervor should approximate the path of Jesus.

We are blessed by God with the capacity to manage and develop our assigned spaces in the Garden of our Maker. Each one has a role to play in our earth. As we are created in the image of GOD, our opportunity to be involved in the issues of the times is getting wider. Therefore, our system of governance should be attuned to the harmony of love and outward mission. Our ways of knowing are strengthening our belief that the new heaven and the new earth will happen. We are instruments of GOD to let this thing happen. The creativity blessed to us by GOD will lead us. We must engage. We have the natural capacity to chart our path and destiny as people and communities. Let us be involved in the ecumenical work of bringing a just world.

Let us break our comfort zones and empower ourselves as lay. As we are becoming GOD’s steward that rejects the impositions of greedy institutions, we are remolding ourselves with a new sense of commitment to serve GOD and His People.

The local Church in the Philippines gathered in its Second Plenary Council (PCP II) in 1991, and declared itself as a “Church of the Poor,” which means, among others, a local Church that will give “preferential option for the poor” in all its pastoral priorities, programs, and “way of being Church.” It also meant that the poor, which are traditionally marginalized and powerless in Philippine society, and who are in the long history of the local Church were just passive recipients of catechism and social welfare programs, would from then on be deemed as capable of working for their own development, emancipation, and empowerment. In a sense, the “poor” would from then on become not just objects but agents already of their own development. Since then, various sectors in the Church, e.g. clergy, religious, and laity, have embarked on social development programs that aim to alleviate poverty and assist poor community members to work for their own development. Are we ready to embrace this? Are we ready to be an enabler? Are we ready to be an instrument of GOD for the others to live?

All of us were called by GOD to respond. We were given names with blessings coming from GOD. The Christian communities had baptized us in remembrance of the first baptism of CHRIST. Jesus gave us his life for us. From Bethlehem to Golgotha, we witnessed the life journey of Jesus Christ. Each one of us is a dynamic part of the universe because we were given a valuable life. Jesus Christ is in all letters of our name. He is in every little cell of our being. Jesus is our Bread of Life, Advocate, Redeemer, the Savior. Jesus is our companion in all undertakings. He is not leaving us. He is keeping us cool and focused on our mission.

‘Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-29). We are being invited by Jesus. When we are tired and struggling, JESUS CHRIST can give the comfort. Following Jesus frees us from carrying the burden of our shortcomings. What we need to do is put our faith, hope, and trust in Jesus. To take His yoke is to commit to Him and put ourselves under the protection and authority of Christ.

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