Relaks Ka Lang Sagot Kita (Loosen Up! I’ll Take Charge!)

by: Bro. Rene Tumang

Commonly the person whom you confide with your life’s struggle would naturally respond by tapping your shoulder coupled with an encouragement, “You can do it!”, while others would say, “Loosen up! I’ll take charge!”

In the community of believers, a number of people shy away because of this sugar-coated gesture wherein the usual response to an individual who’s voicing out a dilemma is, “You can do it!” or “I’ll pray for you!,” than communion with the deprived and finding an alternative solution to the predicament.

In the middle of prayers, recognition of answered prayers is sometimes unnoticed. In the past, my friend Danny Cabrera who was into a film industry was praying for the best title of the film he was currently producing.  Out of nowhere, while on his knees beseeching God for it, he heard something resembling to an audible sound which says, "Relaks Ka Lang! Sagot Kita" (Loosen Up! I'll Take Charge!) without knowing later  on that it would turn out to be the title of his film.  Excitingly, this project was a runaway success.

Everybody needs one's presence so don’t leave a struggling individual with a mere word, “You can do it!” Empathize with him/her.

Back then, I was invited as a Speaker in an affluent family in Dasmarinas Village.  After the occasion, the patriarch called in all his siblings together with the house managers  (nurse, maid, housekeeper and the driver).  All of them were given the same amount of inheritance worth 250K.  To my surprise, I was called lastly and given the same envelope with the same content.  I was overjoyed and overwhelmed by the generosity.  Little did I know that it was already 6:30AM.  It was only a DREAM!

See! You can’t even relax while paying attention to the story, what more if it’s a real crisis!  

Psalm 100:5 Good indeed is the LORD, His mercy endures forever, his faithfulness lasts through every generation.

God takes care of you because He created you wonderfully.  It’s like a kind of attention that you express to your priceless possession.

Remember this: Move one step backward, let Jesus takes the first step.  Simple and trusting people are happy people.  God knows what is best for everybody.

Avoid the killer stress.

There was a story of a servant who has been grumbling against God because of an unanswered prayer while actively involved in the community. 

One day, he bumped into God and whined.  God said, “Do you notice that stone? Push it aside!”  The servant heeded God’s order.  All his vigor was worn out but the stone remained unmoved so he complained, “Lord, what is this that you want me to do? It’s been tough!”  The Lord replied, “I told you to push it aside but neither did I tell you to carry it.”

Two words that will separate us from loving God:

1. Envy 

• It makes the bone rot – Proverbs 3:31-34
• It is an evil thing - Mark 7:21-23
• It has no place in heaven - Galatians 5:21 

Don’t be envious but be grateful on what your neighbors have acquired by pondering, “Lord, may the things they get hold of be valuable to them.”

2. Worldliness – a worldly person faces a lot of troubles; he is quick-tempered, envious, judgmental, and always reckon a good deeds.

No one can repay God through relentless service.

Do not establish a high standard way of living, avoid status symbol.

There are many chapters in life:

1. Tender age

• Love is in the air.
• Parents, offer your children to God.

Let grandparents enjoy the opportunity to serve God than taking them as caregivers for your children.  It is at this stage of their lives of enjoying service to God after all the endurance and perseverance of raising their children to be at their best.

Be like the children who are known for their simplicity.  This reminded me of the story when Fr. Sonny Ramirez developed Silong Tanglaw Foundation.  After establishing a comfortable shelter, they took a busload of street children which they had gotten from the streets of Manila. 

2. Teenage/Adolescent Age – start serving God.  Prayer must be your lifestyle.  This is the most delicate stage wherein the concerned prefer to live a bit apart from their parents, to live on their own.

Early years of married life – love until it hurts.  Love until it hurts more.  Love until it hurts no more. 

3. Single Blessedness 

1 Coritnhian 7:34 An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

4. Old Age 

• Offer your life to God and be faithful to your service until the Lord comes.  This is the acceptance age, wisdom age, surrender age.  

Do not cry over a spilled milk.

Don’t be a cause of hardship to your parents.  Instead, be a cause of joy as this is the juncture for them to get pleasure from.

Relax and enjoy life, the Lord is with us!