Getting Lost in the City
HOPE FOUND IN A FAMILIAR LANDMARK
College was one of the things that changed me as a person. Living away from my parents means I have to survive alone. The first thing I have to do is to memorize my way from where I live to where my university is. My first semester was never easy, especially when it came to remembering the jeepney that I had to ride every day. The last thing I wanted to see happen was getting lost in the city. How can a provincial girl get her way back and how can she get her way there?
One day after my 7:00pm class ended, I went outside to wait for my jeepney. Because I have an eye problem, I cannot see things clearly. That night, I thought I was on the right jeepney that would bring me home, but then I noticed it was going the wrong way. I got off the jeepney not knowing where I was. I did not know who to contact or which road to take to get into the right jeepney. It was dark, and I was in a dangerous place, too. I decided to contact my cousin, but as soon as she picked it up my battery died. I tried to figured things out on my own, so I pretended I was not lost so people would not make fun of me. I walked and prayed until I saw a familiar landmark. I remembered passing by that same landmark when I was going to school in the morning. It was an answered prayer, and the next thing I saw was the jeepney I needed to get home.
I have been lost many times in the city, but what makes those “getting lost” moments important? It is important because whenever I get into the same place where I once was lost, I know where to go now. I don’t call myself lost again.
The same thing happens in my Christian walk, too. I get lost many times; I go astray because of sin that led me away from the path where God wants me to be. Temptations pulled me away from the right track. The landmark I saw when I was lost physically in the city represents Jesus in my life. Because I know Him now, by the time I see Him in the midst of getting lost, it gives me hope to go back to the path I have to take. Now when the temptation comes back, I know how to avoid it and not to be lost again because of what I have been through. I know that Jesus is there to save me from getting lost over and over again.
When you feel like you are getting lost in your Christian walk, do not be afraid to continue. Do not stop; you have to continue until you find Christ again who will get you out of there. Jesus is the one who will lead you back to the right path. You do not need to worry. Getting lost in your Christian walk is not easy, but once you see Jesus leading you again, you will be glad knowing it was Jesus who saved you.
Submission from Genevieve, a student at USJ-R Main Campus. Have an idea or article to share? Send your creative submission to wotsphilippines@gmail.com!