I've been attending this pilot test of a study geared for men called Men's Fraternity. It's a three-year course, meeting weekly. Not the whole year, kasi may bakasyon--mga 24 meetings for the first year. The first year focuses on seeking an authentic manhood. Do men really need to do this study? Lalaki na kami, di ba? Alam na namin yun. However, the weekly small group processing really opens up many areas hidden from us. We discover many fresh ways of understanding why we do what we do, why we feel certain ways as men, why we respond the way we do to certain circumstances, why we are addicted to certain habits, etc. Deep. Actually liberating.
In one session, our facilatator shared how he had this running coversation with God dealing on the question, "Is God good enough for you today?" As I understand it, it's an engagement of faith as I face the common crises of living as a man, husband, father, worker, etc. For example, on payday you tend to be high on God as you have just received money for household expenses, maybe a little something over for extras. Pero, as the next payday approaches, the money tends to thin out and you wonder if you'll have enough for fare and lunch until the payroll comes again. Is God good enough, then? Common occurences, real tests.
Last Sunday, Kingsland BC with whom we Montenegro's worship and serve celebrated its 17th anniversary. Our theme was God's faithfulness. This church has gone through many trials and struggles. Seemed to me that a song we sung expressed the church's relationship with God through the years. It goes like the following:
Di Nagbabago
Ang lahat ay nag-iiba
Tulad ng himig ng kanta
Biglang luluha kahit na nagsasaya.
Ang rosas ay natutuyo
Pangarap ko'y nabibigo
Maging lakas ng puso ko'y naglalaho.
O, Jesus, pag-ibig Mo
Ang tanging di nagbabago
Pakinggan Mo ang awit ko.
Koro:
Di nagbabago ang pag-ibig Mo sa'min
Kahit anong mangyari kami'y mahal Mo pa rin
Mula pa kahapon
At sa habang panahon
Ikaw lamang ang Panginoon.
Amen to that.
