With God’s Love, We Find Purpose in Doing Things
With God’s Love, We Find Purpose in Doing Things
by Marvin A. Salarda
Theology II
Columban Student
We are often confronted by unexpected or unpleasant situations. We are comforted by words like, “God has a purpose for that” or simply “There is a purpose for that.” It is as if God gives us problems and difficulties to test us.
As I reflect on a particular experience I had this year in the formation, I believe that God never deliberately gives us problems, sickness and difficult situation. Things usually happen as a product of our own choices in life although there may also be things which are out of our control. I don’t think God wants us to suffer, be sick and face problems for some unknown design. As we grow older, we experience hardships, because we can find purpose on them and determine why we do the things we do.
Last January, I suffered from pain in my ankle that made it difficult to even take steps. I went to a nearby clinic for checkup and my laboratory results confirmed my suspicion that I have an elevated uric acid. What surprised me was my blood sugar being raised in a pre-diabetic range. Because I don’t want to start any maintenance medication at the age of 38, I talked to the doctor about other options to manage my pre-diabetic condition. He advised me to implement diet and exercise in my daily routine. He challenged me that we will check my fasting blood sugar every month for three months, to see if I can manage to lower it through exercise and diet only. Fortunately, I was able to manage it.
Exercise is the least of my worries because I used to go to the gym when I was working in Manila. I admit that fifteen years ago, I was more focused on looking physically attractive. Now that I started exercising to manage my sugar level, I set at least one hour a day for walking around the neighborhood. At first, it was hard but as I went on every day, I started to love the effects it brings me; I was able to manage my problem with constipation, I sleep at night better than ever and I have more endurance when I started to play sports with my brothers in the community. My weight clearly trimmed down, giving me a lighter feeling as I carry myself up and down the stairs.
In one of my walks, I passed by a building and saw myself reflected so clearly on its glass windows. I saw my significant weight loss and my bloated tummy seemed to have sized down. As I continued walking, tears just welled up in my eyes, I thought to myself, “What am I doing this for?”
Recalling back my own reflections in class, spiritual readings, recollections and retreats I had in the past, I have always known how God loves me, and how He cares for me. How come I have not cared for what God has given me? From that moment, I found my answer. I do care and will care for my body and myself because God loves and cares for these in the first place. Before, I used to pay so much for expensive membership, monthly fees and fitness trainers in the gym because I care so much about how I looked. Now, I do it for free, only with self-determination and dedication because I value God’s gift to me, my body and myself.
I believe that God did not give me my pre-diabetic condition. It was the result of how I lived my life in the past. It was because of my choice to consume unhealthy food and excessive alcohol. It was my choice between looks and health and it was also because of my hereditary health history, as diabetes runs in our family blood. It was never from God. I cannot just tell myself that “God has a purpose for this.” Because God loves me, and because of that love, I will and should love and care for myself and my body.
Marvin (front - 3rd from right) and the Formation House Community