eljoybeneza

[eljoybeneza]

losing the fire or rederection?

I have a confession to make.

I think I am losing some fire here. I used to love doing development work for my community, especially for the youth. But now, I just feel like I have been doing this in vain.

It all started when I had a talk with my Tito Pastor. He knew that I had a desire and a dream to run for public office one day. But he discouraged me. He believed that if I think I can do more for the community if I become a Kagawad, I am thinking wrong. He said that there are better things to do as a Christian. As a servant of the Lord.

Then another thing happened. Youth Quest happened. One particular preaching struck me there - Seizing the Fake Opportunity.

It brought out a lot of questions -

Am I really doing this for the Lord?

What do I really want to do with my life?

Is my desire to run for public office God's calling?

what if my org, Every Thryve, is just a futile mission? and God does not want anything to do with it?

Am I wasting my time and my life and my energy?

Fast forward to when I got sick. I totally lost it there. Am I really called to hold this organization together?

Now, I am feeling listless and indifferent. Seems like I just want to take care of myself and run away from the responsibility of being that org's leader.

Am I losing fire or is God leading me to a different direction?

Lord, help me not waste my life. I want my days to be full of purpose and life. Help me.

[eljoybeneza]

You are being refined by the Maker.

You are being perfected.

Trust the process.

Trust in the Lord.

[eljoybeneza]

I am forever comforted by the living truth that whatever sins and mistakes God had already washed away in the past, He has completely forgotten that. He is the God of mercy. The God of grace. The God of forgiveness. The God of love.

My God is bigger than my sins. Bigger than all there is. He is not ever counting my sins. I can now be kinder to myself, not to torture it anymore with the things that He has, without a doubt, already had no memory of.

So, here's a word of grace I can speak to myself: My past may have brought me to wherever I am today but it does not control me forever. I lay my heart to Jesus' feet, in Him all fears and worries I surrender.

Happy Sunday! 💕

[eljoybeneza]

There are days when it will be hard to withstand the forces that puts your little fire off. There will be nights so dim that it becomes consuming and ovewhelming to shine alone. There will be those moments that you become distracted by the things of this world that you will not notice the light slowly fading away.

But God needs that light. He needs you to shine His light through yourself so that this world can find their way to Him.

Do not fight the light. Do not hide it.

Tell yourself, The light I carry is from Jesus. The light I carry is the same light that saved me. This light is going to lead someone to Christ. That person could be my father, my mother, my friend or just somebody They need this light This light will change their lives. All I need to do is carry the light and let it shine.

Just carry it and let it shine. Carry it and shine. 💡✨

[eljoybeneza]

You are not worthless. God does not make worthless things.

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." — Jeremiah 1:5 KJV

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." — Psalm 139:14 KJV

[eljoybeneza]

One day, I'm gonna wake up to a morning when all of this chaos is over and I will be at peace because I was not the one who fought through it but my God and I will be glad that I followed behind Him, holding only on to His hand, looking only to Him with full faith. ⛅

[eljoybeneza]

October baby 💙

I have a home. I have friends. I have a family. I have God. I may be lost but I'm finding my way. I pray I'll be kept alive inside and out until the twenty-second year of hopefulness arrives! Hello, October! 💙 2⃣2⃣

[eljoybeneza]

We are an ‘experience’ company. We turn ordinary events into extraordinary travel adventure stories where you come home with happy, unforgettable and life-changing memories. 

 For “experience” related trips, visit our website at https://www.experience.ph/

[eljoybeneza]

Intro the Disney Way

I can imagine it. All the Disney princesses– Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, all of them, their eyes looking at me, examining me if I am fit to be part of their royal squad.

I sat appropriately, lifted my chin and mustered, “I am El Joy and I came from a humble family from a far away island.”

They looked at each other at the mention of my name which I took as a cue to speak further. “My name is a blending of my parents’ names- Eliseo and Josephine. More than that, I like to believe that my arrival brought joy to them.”

Belle smiled at me. Now I’m wondering if she’s in awe of my name or if she remembered the image of her beast in me. I laughed at the thought. Being the book nerd she was, she asked me how’s college going on for me.

I answered, “College is wonderful. I am currently on my fourth year as an Organizational Communication student in the University of the Philippines Manila.”

They shot me all with puzzled faces. Ariel even started to google the course unfamiliar to her. I added, “OrCom trains students to be competent in the communication field in an organizational setting. We create and maintain relationships through effective communication.”

Phew. This isn’t easy. I am all poised and too nervous.

The princesses stood up. Merida held up her bow and told me that they will be  out for a while. I was relieved.

As soon as they left, I approached the mirror and redid my brows. I posed as if capturing a selfie then talked to my reflection.

“You can do this, El Joy! Woooh! When they get back you’ll tell them this:

Choosing OrCom was one of the best random decisions I’ve made in my life. Although I was also clueless about the course back then, I admit it, the mention of it was magical to me. I liked it. I realized how much I loved organization and communication.

However, it’s not only OrCom that makes every second magical, but also the moments I spend serving God through teaching children in the streets. I love these kids! I believe that teaching both helps them and helps me embrace the unknown and prepare for the unexpected. Kids are the easiest audience but the job is to make an impact in their hearts.  

Like all of you, my princesses, music has a very special place in my heart. I realized after two years in college that my life felt dry without an avenue for singing. So, I set off to a thrilling adventure– to join the UP Manila Chorale. UPMC taught me a lot from singing to managing life altogether. It brought to reality all performances I once thought of as surreal. I was able to perform in a musical play and become part of a concert that took place in CCP. I then realized that as long as I want something, pursuing it is always the first step. I might succeed. I might fail. A lot of things can happen but the last thing I want to happen is to live with the regret of what could’ve been if only I have tried.

Now, as much as I want to be like you, Moana, who sailed across seas to save the world, I could only travel so much. But, Rapunzel, what happened to you happened to me. I got out of my tower as I joined Experience Philippines. After few months of being their intern, talking to roadtrippers and collecting local experiences, I am now their Experience Development Officer working alongside Mr. Giancarlo Gallegos, the founder. I’m in love with their vision of changing the way Filipinos travel.

“Happy Best.” Do it if it makes you happy and if it makes you happy give it your best. That’s what I always live by. I want to chase my dreams like you did, Ariel, even exchanging your tail for a pair of legs.”

The princesses entered the room. I stopped. I think they heard everything.

Snow White then walked toward me and held my hand, “You are already a princess on your own. Welcome to the squad.”

[eljoybeneza]

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS 💕

Happy New Year! New year and new class! 💕

For almost nine years in our church's Sunday School, I've held all classes- Toddlers, Pre-Primary, Primary and Juniors. The latest department I taught was the Juniors Department and that was only last year.

Now, I'm back to teaching the younger ones! Challenging? YES! ABSOLUTELY. I've been teaching youth for two years and how can I adjust so fast to 7s and 8s?? Exciting? Oh yeah! A child's heart is just so open to God's word and I can't wait to teach these children God's Word. So there, everyone, meet the Pre-Primary Department! Wooooooh! 😂🎉

[eljoybeneza]

Let this day be the day

Let today be the day

you hear His mercy whispering

"go and do beautiful things,

Go and do them for me.

I know that you do not feel equipped

but My Spirit will give you strength

in every moment you feel weak.

I willgive unmistakeable confidence

to be who I have called you to be.