Christian Living

---

For the past many years, I lived out my Christian life in the manner of an "ego-climber." Books to read, papers to write, church to pastor, seminary classes to teach, skills to learn, letters to make, visits to schedule. These things pressed in on me. So, for some strange reason, even though I do things of or for God, I could not notice God anymore. I had increasing difficulties being in His presence.

When God brought me to a place of withdrawal, I found my relationship with Him growing closer and more relevant, not less. With this retreat, it becomes easier for me now to spend time lingering in His presence. I sensed how God chose to shed my encumbrances that I may go back to Him again. I must be honest and say that I discovered some essential things missing in my life before this time. God had to deal with me about these things.

Lately, I've overcome my natural resistance against washing clothes in the house. For all the years that I've been married to my wife Imelda, I did not do any washing of clothes! In fact, I'd avoid normal household duties, like cooking, ironing, caring for children. I felt that doing them was demeaning. Not something undertaken by men in the house. Until now. This is one of those things that have become new inside of me during this time.

The Lord Jesus, after washing the feet of the disciples, said, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13: 14,15). Relearning this lesson, I felt convicted of my own spiritual poverty. I, who was so conscious of being served rather than the one serving others. What a parallel, my washing clothes to Jesus' washing feet, isn't it?

Brother Lawrence embodies the same spiritual principles in his writings on "Practicing the Presence of God." According to him, one can experience the presence of God even amid the most mundane or ordinary tasks of daily living, like washing dishes, clothes, cooking, among others.

Truly, I'm enjoying a new kind of spiritual peace nowadays. Not perfect, but I have much more of it than before. It's not something acquired within the affluent, comfortable surroundings of seminary campus, academia, or church where I came from. But by the side of my wife and kids in the house. The time I'm spending right now serving them has become an invaluable time for me to learn to follow Jesus' example and practice the presence of God in my life.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE