Doesn't Matter! Have Grace!

I'm fresh from the 8th Philippine Blogging Summit, aka IBlog8, at the Malcolm Hall of the UP College of Law in Quezon City. I came there without any idea that an IPad 3 was at stake at a raffle draw sponsored by TV5.

I may not have won the IPad 3, but I got the greatest gift of all.

Recall: I lost my laptop last January, and I have been praying for four months now to get a new one. I took the opportunity. The winner has been drawn, but unfortunately, the winner is not named Ivan Saldajeno.

I really want that IPad 3 (well, at least the voucher that certifies the winner that she [the winner is a female blogger] will get one once Apple officially release the new tablet). I really prayed hard for that. But I guess the Lord said no for the meantime. Instead, he rebuked me. God touched me and said, "You don't need that IPad. You need Me." Then I was reminded of Daniel's BFF's, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These guys were about to be thrown to the fiery furnace when they didn't bow down at the statue King Nebuchadnezzar built. They even said, "...the God we serve... will deliver us... BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT... we will not serve your gods." (Daniel 3:17b, 18b) These guys stood too firm to their faith that even if they were to be burned alive (with the uncertainty whether the Lord will deliver them in an instant), they remained confident because they set their focus and affection on Heavenly things, something Paul reminded to the people of Colosse (Colossians 3:1-2). In the end, with the furnace set at a 7 times hotter temperature, God saved the three. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar even saw a 4th man that was in the furnace. In the King James Bible, the king recognized the 4th person to be the Son of God, that would happen to be Jesus Christ.

Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that God's will always prevails. They knew the Lord is allowing some things for a purpose. They just let go and let God. That's grace. Our natural tendency when it comes to trials and nos from God is to be upset and impatient, but thanks to grace, which is God's gift, we're able to hold on to His promises no matter how long He will turn those promises into reality. Aside from that, it is by God's grace that we are saved. Because of our sins, we could have been all dead by now, but because of His grace that was exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice, we are now living a life that is fun and colorful.

Maybe the Lord did not allow me to have that IPad 3, but it doesn't matter to me at all. What's important is that He already gave His most precious gift, which is eternal life thanks to His grace. I will still hold on to His plans.