Have you joined a club,
an organization or a community recently?
Most people joined one
so that they can have more friends, more learning (depending on what they can
offer you) and nurture the talents or gifts you have.
That's the most common
reasons people join a group.
But have you ever
wondered when we join a group, we know some of them? Even a single one?
We join one group from a
friend, either your parent or your relatives.
But...
Have you ever joined a
group that you don't know a single person in it?
Well, I do.
Here's my story.
Before
and After the Music
I was in a Christian
community called the CFC-SFL (just ask me personally if you wanna know the
meaning if it). Anyways, I really, really wanted to join the music ministry in
our community.
Alas, I wasn't given a
chance. It hurts a bit because I have completed my whole session on voice
lessons and yet I wasn't given a part in the music min.
That hurts a bit. I think it was not yet my time to shine in the stage...
So my plan B was to join
the music ministry of the Thursday Feast of the LOJ community.
What's more is that I
don't know a single one from that ministry. Not a single one. Period.
So, I did my audition
and passed. Like I have a perfect score on my music class. It was overwhelming
at the same time scary because I'm in a ministry of strangers unlike in my
other community where I know all of them.
But that was a very bold
move I have done because....
I've got a chance to
sing on stage.
Sang solo on stage
(well, I just sang solo on the first verse of the song. That's a huge
accomplishment for me).
I even learned NEW songs
(back then songs sung are just in a songbook, not that updated).
And.... I got the chance
to know my band mates.
It's a fun experience
indeed.
After
the Retreat
After the I Love Life
retreat, I started making my first ever blog.
Kinda a newbie on this
one.
But the compliments are
overwhelming. That's why I'm still on it until now.
Then an opportunity
knocked.
I was given a chance to
join the Bulletin for the whole Feast in Cebu. I never thought I would be
joining one since I'm just new on writing. Well, maybe they liked the way I
write my blog post.
Oh, that's why.
Then I joined their
meeting for the very first time at the same time, I was given my very first
assignment. (the meeting was for the KCON and it was my first meeting to join.)
Well, it’s very much
overwhelming because I got to meet a new set of strangers on that meeting.
I was so silent back
then. Just observing. Silently, listening to each one.
Then I got the chance to
talk and know them, even for a short time.
I got the chance to be
featured in the Bulletin for several issues already. And it was heartwarming to
see my article published and read by many.
That's why one of my other
goal is to publish a book in Shepeherd's Voice.
Meeting
Strangers
I've read an article
from the book "Is your love tank empty?" by Bo Sanchez.
He met an unchurched
man. A stranger. He learned lots of things from this man.
Not to be judgmental.
Not to be critical. It's a wonder that he met someone whom he can learn from.
From a stranger.
Even I, myself, have
experienced that scenario.
There is an activity on
one of the talks in the Feast (a weekly gathering) that allows a person to talk
to someone I don't know personally. In other words, talk to a stranger.
And so, I did.
I talked to a stranger.
Lo and behold, we became friends just by talking.
Amazing isn't it?
Even in the I Love Life
retreat I attended, I have met strangers and become friends. Partners. Travel
buddies.
Sometimes, being too
comfortable with the friends we already have can make us doubt our friendships
with them when they got additional friends. (I've experienced this one
first-hand).
Be open to strangers
(those who you can befriend, not just any strangers roaming in the streets).
You might have opportunities knocking at your door when you meet them.
