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Today I celebrate sixty-two. As I turn my eyes to Psalm 62, the Lord speaks to me to trust Him. My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation. My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope (verses 1 and 6)
I have had my fair share of problems–big and small, personal and ecclesial, physical and mental—surely more than sixty-two. Some problems I carry alone. Some problems I carry with the brethren. About some problems, I ask for the opinion of experts. I wish life was possible to live without problems but that would not be life at all. Problems are proofs of life.
When problems are big and unexpected, I admit that I get frantic and anxious. My adrenalin shoots up and I rush to solve the problem right away worried about repercussions. The bigger the problem, the more I rush to gather everything within me to solve it. Surely I pray when I face problems and I tell God to rush and help me. When I am in distress, I shout to God in whispers.
Now at sixty-two, I have learned to be better than a frantic and anxious bishop. I have problems and they are still many and big. But now, I come to the Lord in silence. I do not tell him to solve the problems right away. I do not tell him about my distress. I do not strangle him to hasten to help me. I go to him in silence and trust. I go to Him to rest.
Now at sixty-two, I see better that nice words in prayer are good for my mind; but silent trusting faith is better than the most poetic sweet words. I am not in a rush. I can and must wait for the Lord. The solution to my problems comes not from everything within me nor from my advisers and brethren. My salvation comes from the Lord.
All problems have solutions. If they have no solutions, maybe they are not problems but gifts still wrapped waiting to be opened.
My brilliant plans are nothing compared to the hand of God inviting me to trust and just wait. Dios solo basta. Ang Diyos ay sapat na!
God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not fall. My deliverance and honor are with God, my strong rock; my refuge is with God. Trust God at all times, my people! Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!
I am sixty-two and I go to the Lord in silence and I am at peace.***