Christmas day is over but the season is not yet.
Most of us forget, during a season of plenty and also during seasons like this, what it is like living a healthy though frugal life.
As 2016 comes to an end, there are people who splurge on just about anything materially because this is a season for gift giving.
Sometimes, it depends on how you give and to whom you give.
Celebrating birthdays and enjoying this very important occasion with friends and family is a traditional custom handed down from generation to generation.
I have read though of a few celebrities and philanthropists who share the celebration of their birthdays with people they do not even know personally.
Instead, they go out of their way to make underprivileged children, the poor and homeless folks who have nothing at all feel happy by sharing their personal time, their infectious smile and resources.
I call this spiritual gift-giving.
Notice that many – and a big majority of us – lean towards satiating themselves, filling what they hanker and yearn for as if they too have nothing at all.
Permit me to quote verses in the Bible to complement this piece. 2 Cor.9:6-9 says: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever.”
How many times and how often has it been said that life is about making choices?
Some of us have a narrow-minded view of life. Some activities are trained on aggrandizing personal egos. Some endeavors are about giving political favors so that they are able to build political ROIs. Some take the opportunity to “showcase’ their generosity to the poor so that the giver will be remembered on (re) election day.
Therefore, it is a must that we live a life that is fully engaged.
Some, if not the majority of humanity, appear lost, wandering in the deep crevices of their being unaware and unconscious. Or else, suffer the fate of those who are absent-minded and half-conscious in choosing a half-interested and half-engaged life.
Because after this year, don’t settle on a survival mode.
Positively expect the coming of the unexpected.
There will be key moments and circumstances that will beckon to us in a most surprising way. Therefore, we must be spiritually prepared, spiritually healthy and God-ly confident.
Where were you when God poured out His blessings?
Were you in deep slumber, lazily snoring your day away?
Remember, you reap what you sow and you sow what you reap. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!
