It was December 8, 2012. The Fight of the Decade at MGM Grand stirred the pulse of the world of sports.
The illustrious Pacquiao suffered a stunning loss to the legendary Juan Manuel Marquez. With a second left in the sixth round, the perfect punch careened the champion to the canvas to sleep.
I remember feeling a sense of kindred loss while jotting down these thoughts for him to ponder:
My Brother Manny: (Kapatid kong Manny:)
I am but a small voice amidst the oceanic murmurs, yet I feel compelled to share a few thoughts, just because you are my brother in Christ.
(Ako ay iisa lang na titik na nais magbahagi ng iilang palaisipan, bilang kapatid mo kay Hesus.)
When God's children are knocked out, either literally or metaphorically, although I find myself still at a loss for words, the aftermath of humiliation when it turns into humility astounds me, even more.
(Kapag tayo ay lugmok sa pagkatalo, yung kahihiyang dala nito ang siyang lubusang nagbibigay ng pagkamangha sa aking kaisipan.)
I seek to follow Christ, myself ... and like you, I am faced with the dilemma of wondering and wandering why God allows unseen punches to knock me out. I won't go into the details of my personal travails, but the more I seek intimacy with Christ, the more I get introduced to suffering's embrace. People who are not quite versed in the ways of God may be too quick to judge the ineptness of my faith, and at times, they turn to mythologizing the deity of my Lord.
(Tulad mo, ako ay masugid na taga-sunod ni Kristo. Kadalasan ako ay litong-lito sa mga debuho ng malulungkot na kamalasan sa aking buhay. Kaya nga lang, kapag ka itong aking mga pagkatalo ay dinudulog ko sa Kanya, ako ang nalulula sa Kanyang mapagpalang yakap at pagmamahal.)
Manny, when you are in the depths of your faith, remember that even your present humiliation is God's gift (Psalm 139). We are sometimes allowed to go under, so that we might experience the incredible commitment of our Lord to be with us, especially when we are down and out.
(Ang mangangawit ay nagpapatutoo na tunay nga ang katapatan ng Diyos lalung-lalo na sa mga siglo ng ating kahinaan. Siya ang tapat na nagmamahal.)
I leave you with Proverbs 24:16:
(Sa iyo ang Kawikaan 24:16;)
"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity."
(Kahit ilang knock-out ang ikabagsak ng kanyang mga anak, dadamputin at iaangat sila mismo ng kanilang Ama. Ang mga taliwas ay mananatiling lugmok sa kanilang mapagkunwaring kumunoy.)
This is perhaps, your first real fall. You have more to come. But be of good cheer.
(Heto marahil ang una mong tunay at mahapding pagkatalo. Marami pang darating na kabiguan. Huwag kang malilinlang: ngumiti ka at magtiwala sa bagsik ng pagkupkop ng ating Diyos!)
God wrote these words for you and me. He knows that we will fall, seven times seven. But He also knows that each time we fall, He will pick us up, cause us to rise again and in humility, I pray that you and the rest of us will declare who is truly the Hero and the Champion: Jesus, the Suffering Servant and Victor.
(Ang mga katagang ito ay para sa ating lahat na nananalig. Tayo nga ay makakaranas ng pagbagsak, at marami pang pagkatalo. Subalit, dahil sa pangako ni Hesus, Siya ang tunay na Kampeon at Manunubos na magdudulot ng ating panghabangbuhay na kagalakan at tunay na pagwawagi!)
Soli Deo Gloria! (Sa Diyos lang ang Papuri!)
Dr. Russell Diwa
Senior Pastor (tumatandang katulong ng ating Dakilang Amo)
Biblical Community Church
(Translations in broken Tagalog)
