HOPE: THE BASIS OF A GODLY LIFE

I've always thought that through Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, confession by mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believing wholeheartedly that God raised Him from the dead, I would be saved and inviting God into my life. It turns out it's not that simple.

In this video I am sharing a subtle experience in lived back in the Summer of this crazy year and which turned into a profound realization that changed my life. I hope it touches you in the same way it did to me.

I think I needed a time to wipe the slate clean of the previous year.

Last July, I went through a rough patch during a mid-Summer weekend in which I was feeling reluctant to get out of bed. I gave myself permission to lay down for 48 hours straight. I think I needed a time to wipe the slate clean of the previous year. I was watching videos— most likely TikTok or the whole 6 seasons and 115 episodes of The Wonder Years in YouTube.

The year 2019 was particularly challenging to me because I had to cope with some work issues that drove me to question myself about my professional value: how good was I; how much worth was I providing to my current employers; did I deserve a promotion; did I deserve respect.

On the next Monday following that obscure, yet rested, weekend in July, I decided to stop the hiatus and get up. I thought I had to move forward and most importantly, find clarity about my future. This was actually my daily prayer theme; "God, please, tell me what do you want from me," "God, please, tell me what path should I take," "God, please, show me what am I good for."

I decided to throw on some sportwear and go for an autumnal early walk. I did something I almost never do; I put on my earphones and took my mobile phone with me. I started listening to a YouTube channel that I strongly recommend. The YT channel is called, "Aumentando Mi Autoestima" (Leveraging My Self-Esteem) by Elías Berntsson. Mr. Berntsson is a Spanish man that among ther things, he translates the Joel Osteen's sermons that are delivered at the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas every Sunday. Mr. Berntsson makes these audios pretty reflecting; his voice is extremely touching.

"When you let God into your life..."[...] Every time I heard that phrase I remembered how I had invited God into my life since I was born and baptized.

The video I was playing that morning talked about keeping up the hope amidst the adversity. It repeatedly said, "When you let God into your life..." followed by endless wonderful things that happen in consequence. Every time I heard that phrase I remembered how I had invited God into my life since I was born and baptized. I think I even invited Him into my life several times; in my Confirmation, in my First Communion, by mouth confession through my Christian friends, and in high school through group spiritual retreats I use to attend.

If you lose hope for your day, you are literally setting God aside from your life.

Truth is, is not that simple. The aforementioned video helped me learn something that changed my life completely, and I want to invite you to reflect on it: If you lose hope for your day, you are literally setting God aside from your life.

You must keep up the hope and joy of living so much so that you are faithful that God is working behind the scenes for you. When you wake up in excitement everyday, you are letting God into your day and you are letting Him prepare what's in store for you. Can you believe this? I didn't have this understanding before, and since then, I wake up every morning with the feeling of Christmas morning; as if there are gifts to open and that something big that I am unaware of is coming soon. THIS is what letting God into your life actually means.

You may want to keep in mind that feeling hopeful will actionize the acceptance of God into your life and it will make a significant difference in the way you live.

I pray that you get touched by this reflection today, and that you get clarity about your future so that you start living your life in full joy and excitement and Godly expectation.