After weeks of having people reach out to me; mga nagkukwento ng struggles nila, telling me na nakaka-relate daw sila, saying they were encouraged because they felt they are not alone; another question arises:
Saan ba ako lulugar?
Case 1: A 24-y/o cum-laude who is battling an internal crisis, feeling left behind and unsure of what the next step should be. Still living by the expectations of others to be ‘settled’ due to being an achiever growing up.
Case 2: Someone at a point of their life feeling debilitated and stuck, and struggling what to pursue, but is fine with where they are right now.
Case 3: A 35-y/o who hasn’t realised yet what they want to do in life. Has been working for almost 10 years but hasn’t accumulated wealth, rather, is in debt and according to them ‘obese’. Came to a point where they have asked God to take their life.
Case 4: Someone who actually worked for their dream, but it was their dream that caved in. Yung tipong ginawa mo ang lahat pero hindi pala tinadhana sayo yung bagay na matagal mo nang pinapangarap. For now they are happy with what they have but occasionally still feel like there is a gaping hole.
Case 5: Someone who is struggling to find out what they really want. Sa ngayon hindi na sya nakikipaghabulan but as time goes by, little by little, there’s a pressure that consumes them.
To be honest, there is no formula or right answer to this question. Kung san ka lulugar, only you can tell. Pero I believe this depends on which season of life you’re in, your circumstances, your responsibilities, your capacities.
You have to take a look and see what season you are in life.
- Are you a student who needs to finish academe and get a diploma?
- Are you a single professional who needs to build wealth for yourself and your family?
- Are you a husband or a wife who needs to provide or care for your family?
- Are you a single parent who needs to keep your child alive and well?
Perhaps a better question— What is it you’re called to do today?
What is your bigger picture?
What is your purpose?
What is your why?
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Real talk lang: Magkakaiba tayo ng stage ng buhay at magkakaiba tayo ng purpose. Sa ngayon baka kailangan mo munang tapusin yung pag-aaral mo o kailangan mo muna maging stable sa trabaho or kailangan mo muna mag-focus sa pamilya mo. Kanya-kanyang timeline, kanya-kanyang pace.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Just because your batchmates are traveling doesn’t mean you have to drop whatever you’re doing to pursue traveling. Just because your friends are earning huge salaries in their fields doesn’t mean you have to jump into a different line of career. Just because a single parent you know is thriving and you’re not, doesn’t mean you are a failure. You don’t simply jump ship when things don’t look great. This only means we are all a work in progress.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Alam na ni Lord kung saan ka nya dadalhin, kung kelan ka madadapa, kung sino yung mga taong tutulong sayo, at kung paano ka babangon. You only need to tune in with God and be patient with all the challenges life has for you. It’s all part of the story that God is writing where you are the main character. And what is a story without plot twists diba? Ang boring nun!
So, saan ka na lulugar nyan? Kung saan ka muna kailangan.
