“Until I Expire, I Shall Not Take Away my Integrity”! — Job 27:5
In the midst of the great human sea, I can find myself the subject of the wave and resounding applause by thousands of delegates in the stadium. Fifteen individuals are in the row marching towards the greatest decision ever made. While I am in the edge of this row, I began to took a single glimpse of the two big screens, taking a nap after the most wonderful scene being portrayed. Few minutes passes by and my turn came to step in the water to publicly declare my vows and dedication to the One who creates me. At this point onward, I decided that all of my will should be placed next to Jehovah (the one who means the most for me), and shall not be honored first.
Exactly a year have been passed since I took the greatest decision as stated above. A year of pleasing Jehovah, a year of loving Jehovah, and a year of walking with Jehovah. As I step into the water, I already assemble myself to die from my old self and old course of living so that I can live again for Jehovah’s will. After getting immersed, I began to walk with integrity, and counted to the millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses individually saying: “Until I die, I will not renounce my integrity!”
Walking with integrity is not always easy, for the days are wicked and worsening. It seems that words are easy to spill out, but whatever comes in my lips are worthy to be honored and performed. I promise to Jehovah, and thus it is my duty to fulfill my vows. To Jehovah I am belong! However, my current condition had me blocked to reach out more than I really could. The abnormal curvature of my spine (leaning to rightward deviation) keeps me tired the whole day, even in my rest times. Pressured nerves, stressed muscles, and tensed bones makes me feel uncomfortable and get me away from my concentration. But thanks to God, my favorite Bible text (Psalm 73:28) keeps me in touch with my hope: “But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me.” As I engaged myself to preaching, Jehovah gives me the best medicine, as if massaging my back to restore stressed muscles into its initial and expected condition. I admit that after a long day of preaching, the pains I had makes me and put me at torturing stake. However, I never let that to forbid me go to preaching works the next day. Preaching became my pain reliever! As I am walking along streets, the pain I felt have been ignored once because of the happiness of being with my zealous brethren sharing the good news that also affects me and giving me hope of getting away from this thoracic dextroscoliosis. Now, I am entering college to pursue, not my dreams alone, but also the dreams of my parents and what Jehovah expects of me. My study, learning, and the professional title I may get is always to support the work of the Kingdom Jehovah God promoted and introduced. I know that surgical procedures is the main and easiest way to take away the pain currently striking in my back and correct my body structure, but Jehovah permanently remove the scars of pain, and even the root of all sufferings without leaving any marks or stitches as what a surgery might leave. Jehovah gives me hope that someday, I play, I can carry objects as I wish, without worrying of my conditions. Definitely, Jehovah promised, and none of these will be left unfulfilled. Thinking of those hope, I regain strength, and now determined to comply and fulfill my promise that “until I expire, I shall not take away my integrity.”
My Life After Rebirth (1st Baptism Anniversary Special)
08/25/2019 SUN 10:30 AM
Alexander Locquiao Nartates