Gamitin mo ako…..Gaya ng dati

I could remember the day I trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as if it was yesterday. It was a beautiful morning at Mount Carmel, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The day was October 30, 1984. That day, I found a love relationship with Jesus Christ. The days that followed could accurately be described as “cloud 9” days. I woke up happy every morning, not because our house was super beautiful or that the food was always great. I was happy simply because my heart was at peace with God and with myself. I could sing at night because I felt forgiven, accepted, and okay with God. I zealously served the Lord. I led youth, sang in the church choir, taught Bible studies, and more. How I wish that I could say that it’s been like that every single day since that wonderful day in 1984, but I can’t. I was not always deeply in love with God every moment since then. There were times I got defocused and distracted with earthly and, at times, even ministry concerns. I also lost the fire of my first love with the Lord. I think that my story is also the story of many. You used to be very on-fire for God. You used to be so in love with the Lord. Nothing was too important or too urgent to give up or postpone for the Lord. The ungodly pleasures of the world had little power over you. You served Christ without counting the cost. You told others about him without fear. Jesus Christ was your all-in-all. You were completely satisfied with him. But you also went through a time of growing cold in your love for God. The worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches have poured cold water on the spiritual fire in your life. You have allowed some discouragement, conflict, or problem to weaken your passion for God  or slow you down in your service to him. You’re no longer crazy for Jesus. There are now plenty of excuses for not living a life where Jesus is the undisputed Number One in your life. You’re not serving God like you used to.