A Reflection Before, During and After CLP
Vietnam, Sunday, 11th of April, was the last day of Christian Life Program (CLP). I would like to extend a warm WELCOME to all new members of CFC-VN. It was indeed a very remarkable moment not only for new members but also for the whole membership of CFC-VN.
This pilgrim path is not an easy route to take. When I accepted the task as the team leader for the recently concluded CLP, I was very confident of myself that I immediately accepted the task.
But as the preparation started, things started becoming uncertain, unclear. I was faced with many trials, many temptations and many difficulties. My heart was slowly pierced deep down that I became unsure of myself and felt unworthy of the task. I wanted to be more resolute with my intention to follow Jesus, so I prayed harder and harder each day. On one particular day I came across a message which said “if you are unworthy then who is worthy?”
After which I made a firm decision that I will continue embracing the task together with all the pains and challenges that came with it. The moment when I totally surrendered myself to our Lord was when I gained strength and encouragement to go along the journey. As Sister Mary Niere said “only in our emptiness that God can fill us”. Nobody knew much of the difficulties I faced, pains that I endured. So I simply offered the whole CLP to all the intentions of the members, participants and people who are dear to me. I strived to serve the CLP with enthusiasm, giving out the best smile I could give even though deep inside I was hurting. A brother, former household leader in VN, promised me that I will get more blessings after this CLP. I simply smiled and thanked him for the good wishes. But my intentions were not for myself. Did I not believe him? I did, but in my heart I knew God will only grant the prayers for those whom I have offered my prayers for.
In one reflection it said, “CHRIST is the truth. His truth is so clear that it is like we can see through to the bottom of the sea. But when our eyes are bad, we cannot see the bottom. We cannot distinguish between water and land. As our eyes get better, we can gradually see when we brighten our souls with regard to God. When we have an experience of God, and live in God, our souls become clear, and then the universe becomes clear. When our hearts become clear, at the back of all things we find there is the plan of God. And this plan will become absolute only through HUMILITY. For humility directs our energy, zeal, and ambition to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own”. I kept holding on to this reflection and was looking forward that God’s plans for me and for everyone will be revealed and become clearer.
Now that CLP is over, it is only fitting that I share with you my brothers and sisters how grateful I am for God’s amazing graces. Little did I know that all my prayers for others were also flowing to my personal life. On the 4th Sunday of the CLP, the greatest wish that I had for my family, which I have been praying for more than a year, was suddenly granted. Then a prayer intention for a friend was, out of the blue, granted. The prayer, which I have already given up a year ago, was granted. And what makes all these things even more amazing was that after the Dedication Day one member sent me a text message saying that her brother was cleared of cancer. And there were other prayers granted not only for myself but for all. All these miraculous circumstances were revealed like a big blast, like rain that pours out strongly. That I gasp my breath for too much gratitude, because the prayer intentions during the CLP have been granted far more than I expected. Along the way, the pains that I was patiently enduring was slowly being healed and had been replaced with such joy that I could not explain how and why.
How can I thank God enough for all these miracles? He is truly a living God, a God full of love, compassion, generosity and mercy. God has given me His blessings even before CLP ended. A prayer of gratitude is what I can only utter and offer our Father but I believe this prayer though simple is big enough to make God smile back at me. I continuously thank our Father for forgiving my sins and for always welcoming me back into fellowship with Him. I Thank Him for providing us all the needs before, during and after CLP.
CLP may be finished but the works in CFC continues. My Hope is in our Lord that He will continuously help me so I could remain steadfast and enthusiastic, that the services I am offering will always be worthy of His love, mercy and blessings. As I always aim the fullness of Christ in my life, my family’s and our community’s lives.
May God be praised.
By Annette Taguba
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