Ituon natin ang ating paningin kay Jesus na siyang pinagmumulan at kabuuan ng ating pananampalataya.

Mga Hebreo 12:2a

An auditorium filled with people but filled with silence. Pagtapak pa lang ni Christine sa stage, nanginginig na siya sa takot na mag-perform sa piano recital kaya agad niyang hinanap ang pamilya niya.

Hindi siya makagalaw at nablangko ang isip niya. Pero may isang lalaking tumayo at nagsimulang mag-cheer sa kanya — ang tatay niya na unang nagturo sa kanyang mag-piano. Bumalik ang confidence niya sa pagtugtog hanggang nairaos niya successfully ang recital. 

Nakaka-relate ka ba sa kuwento niya? Performing to please others can be frightening and exhausting. When we live with fear of people, we either become paralyzed or we toil endlessly, but we cannot please everyone. Oftentimes, this performance trap can lead to burnout. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Proverbs 29:25, NIV).

Our true fulfillment in life comes when we start trusting and fixing our eyes on Jesus. He is our One true audience who only wants us to have faith to please Him. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).

Tulad ni Christine na tumugtog para sa tatay niya, when we focus on our Heavenly Father, we begin to have confidence in our purpose at nagkakaroon tayo ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang buhay. We no longer need to pretend for others kasi established na ang ating identity in Him.This sets us free from the performance trap.

So, starting today, let us choose to step into the freedom of being who God created us to be — completely loved, valued, and uniquely created for His glory.