Birthday anniversaries are a good time as any to look back at the last twelve months and count your blessings, and reflect on the road ahead. Tonight, I have dug up my old writings, and would like to share this timeless piece which I wrote 21 years ago. I thank God for the journey I have taken with these men.
Barely two weeks from the time he took his first job, my son Edric confessed to me the other day that he worried whether his new job was maximizing his full potential. Already he wanted to do new and different things, but wasn’t sure what to do.
The following day after that happened, I met with seven Christian friends in a prayer meeting. Like my son, they, too, were wanting to do different things with their present occupations. One labor lawyer said he was seriously planning on setting up a kalamansi farm in Tayabas.. Another, a lawyer also, was in the process of discerning whether to close down his partnership or not. A general manager of one of the largest bus dealerships was beginning a new trading business, preparing for the time when he would retire from his job. A gasoline dealer was bidding for a second station. Me, I felt unappreciated in my career which my bosses seem to think is already at its peak. An established contractor seemed to want out of the business which he had built up over the years. Finally, a banker, who is actually the chairman of his medium-sized bank, confirmed it all for us, saying that he too felt empty and unfulfilled and wanted to do something different, and, like my 23 year old son, wasn’t sure what to do.
I was amused at how these midlifing 40-somethings were feeling just like a young man in his twenties. And so I started to wonder if anyone, young or old, really knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. Or if he were in that position already that he thought he wanted, I wonder whether he would again think – as we all seemed to be experiencing – that his potential isn’t fully maximized. How does one know if he is fulfilled? If he has reached his greatest career and earnings potential? Will anyone ever reach it?
It seems, like the Jews after they escaped from Egypt, our lives and our careers are nothing but a long journey of wandering in the desert. Or it could feel like the disciples of Jesus, trying to cross a stormy lake in a small boat, barely making progress because they are facing strong headwinds. Or the fishermen who returned the next day having caught nothing all night.
Life is like that. It cannot be anything different. Our lives are so designed to search for something that we were meant to accomplish. And I believe, we will all feel unfulfilled if we weren’t on that exact road headed toward that exact destiny for us.
But whether we are entrepreneurs, research scientists, bankers, or farmers, we need to realize that our jobs and our occupations aren’t our destiny. And each one of our occupations are meant to lead us all from our various diverse fields to the same destiny. We just have to have ears that hear, and eyes that see to know where we are going.
“Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things in life I’m showing you?” are words from a popular song in the 70s,
Jesus gives us the formula. He says, unless the grain of wheat dies, it remains a grain of wheat. It will not reach its full potential, he says. What good, he says, does it do anyone to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Gaining the whole world isn’t going to maximize our full potential. And finally he says, to be sure you’re going the right way, he suggests, “follow me”. And He says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” I know where I am going. Follow me and do what I do. Look, he says, I’m the son of God. See me wrap the towel around my waist and serve you who are mere mortals. I am the maker of the Universe, and see me carry my cross up Calvary and allowed myself to be murdered, executed in the most embarrassing way.
Follow me, Jesus says. And you will find fulfillment, you will find water that will never make you thirsty again, you will find rest. “For if whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Follow me.
Reading your blog just gave me the thought that we cannot consider our jobs or preoccupations at the moment as our final destiny that will give us the ultimate sense of fulfillment. No job or career will ever do that for us. It is only our assignment for the moment. A temporary “project” given to us. The correct attitude then is for us to do our best to serve others while we are at it. Serve. Make an impact. Offer each day to the Lord. No room for grumbling. Just joyfully give your best. Then when it’s time for us to move on, let it go. Look with hope for the next assignment, the next part of our journey. Then repeat the same process. Serve and make an impact for God’s glory.
Thanks for this po.
So true how many wonder and wander in this life.
Thankful that God has shed light and led me to Him. Now, no wandering and wondering needed.
No matter where I go, I know I go there only because He told me so.
He is my destiny.
To be awakened to the fact that we are destined for something great is a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you for this, Papa!
Thank you Tito Eddie and belated happy birthday.
I honor you for believing and for continuously living out your life just like the way you described it in your blog 21 years ago. I really honor you for this. You never fail to inspire me by your wisdom, generosity and zeal in loving and serving our Lord.
Again, belated happy birthday Tito Eddie. Gigi and I pray for protection and good health for you and your family. I personally pray that God will continue to inspire you and strengthen you in all areas of your life for no man is without weakness, challenge, and vulnerabilities.
Best regards and God bless,
Joey
Happiest Birthday Tito Eddie…
I remember your words to me back then, “you make rich people richer” and yes,
despite the dedication to do the work that needs to be done, you will only be perceived as part of their expenses….
but need to pass through it…
and move to another place where you work and consider it as a service.
And i love it here…
thank you for this insights tito,,, its an affirmation that He’ll call you wherever, however and whenever…
and grace will always be there.
Thank you for sharing this, Sir Eddie. Truly a valuable and timeless piece worth pondering on. I hope this message will be reached by many to allow an honest reflection of everyone’s search on their true destinies.
Thank you for sharing this on your birthday Sir EAM! Our value is not dependent on the occupation or the work we do rather based on the fact that we are God’s children. We need to be always reminded of this great love and His constant calling for us to follow and serve Him.
It may seem too great to give to Jesus full control of your life but the price is minimal compared to a life separate from Him for Eternity because you have chosen not to be a child of God.
Eddie, a plain thank you for sharing your musings/thoughts
Again, how wonderful. Your thoughts are always refreshing like spring rain. Yes, i realized this a few years ago. This yearning will not stop until we reach our final destination. And so we wait and grow and serve in the meantime. And strangely enough, it is in the little things that we serve best, not in the grand things, the way we listen to someone who has not been heard for a long time, defending someone who has no voice, carrying out humdrum duties because people will benefit. It is loving the daughter and the husband by cooking them breakfast. It is mending that conflict between two neighbors. And sharing an experience with a friend who is going through what I just went through. I have shared many coffees and huge lunches with you talking about so many topics and we have become the better for it I think. Nice to know we wait together. Happy, happy birthday, Eddie!