Leftovers?

I had arrived late again.

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Though just in time for the closing prayer and the final stretch of Worship Night at Victory Pioneer when I arrived past eight. Missing out much of the hour earlier left me seeking context and definitely the part when praying within a group about points given out by our pastors.

Catching up on a weekday night event is nothing new for me having a nature of work that has a long story of revisionist history and work clocks out at 7pm, arriving on time seems uncommon. To further explain on this, I shall reserve it for another post. Thank you very much.

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Last quarter or not, I still get to experience God in that final stretch of the evening’s event. Ptr. Robert shared a verse from Psalm 34:8 (NIV), ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.’

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“Taste and see.” He then asked how are we to taste and see the Lord’s goodness. Ptr. Robert made a follow-up connection when then and there it struck me. As he continued, I told Ryan Umaly jokingly, “Paano ‘yan late ako, does that mean I get leftovers?”  Then a grin ran across my face. I admit I thought differently about the verse than what Pastor Robert had explained, I thought of it as a feast whereas since I arrived late at the event…well, you’ll know what’s left over for me – pun intended.

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Within context or not, even if it is a humorous remark, it does not fail me to think that I would arrive to believe that I’d ‘just’ settle for leftovers; even far enough to accept it wholeheartedly. The scheme is simple as it is deceptive, when we tend to look at the circumstance we thus settle for what is ‘left’. In vernacular, “Ang makuntento sa tira-tira.” Also, the thought of expecting little less as the basis of which is of being late. A laughable thought as it is, though poignant as to remind us that we may fall into this lie.

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But God does not work that way, as far as I have known and read. Grace, as I recall is still a free gift that is constantly offered. I had to be prodded again to be reminded of the gift He alone offers.

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Pastor Robert continued explaining the latter part of the verse, “…blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” and a couple more verses after that of which we’ll save for another post.

For me, it clearly summed up my questions that night. I held silence and grasped the notion of that promise. Pastor Robert further elaborated that it’s not the refuge who dare seeks us but instead we seek refuge in which is with God itself – and with that you are called, ‘blessed.’

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Think about it; God would most likely not hand over leftovers to latecomers as to discipline or correct those He loves. His grace overflows and gives out whole-heartedly. Our part would be our response, how we respond despite how long it takes for us to correspond – God waits intently, patiently and with an open heart.

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Go, taste and see that God is good – all the time.

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