Star From A Far

I am a G.I. in Makati - Geographical Idiot! Because I don't know the name of the streets. And I feel I will be lost if I walk around Makati area, not unless if I ride a taxi (and I cannot afford that) even riding a jeepney (yes, sometimes its luxury to me). So I result to the most environment friendly, cost efficient and money saving form of transportation... walking!

Today I had the chance and time to go to Church (and yes, I always tried to have that daily) and the only Church that I know that is near is the Greenbelt Chapel. However, there is one problem... I don't know how to get there (by walking)! My officemate Rej (thank God!) accompanied me and taught me how to go to the Church by walking. While walking, I asked her how did she knew the way . She shared with me that at first, she was even experimenting and even got lost getting to greenbelt. And I asked her how did she found her way, and her answer struck me. She said to me "whenever I saw the Shangri-La hotel, I know that I am not lost... it is just like a star, that will guide you to find your way..."

We all have the experience of being lost, and believe me it is not always been a good experience. After that feeling, we ask for light, we ask for guidance, and we ask for something that will help us to find our way. I remember a song from Hangad "Where You Are", it speaks about the story and experience of The Three Magi who eventually found Jesus in Bethlehem.

When moonless nights
Upon me fall
I pray my soul
To dream of the star
That has called me from so far away

And in my sleep
Shall come before me
Visions of Light
Above me shining
Whispering softly
It’s calling out my name

But should my rest be sleepless
And should the nights be long
Falter not, oh spirit
Rise and journey on

When I find myself lost deep in the night
All I’d do is look up into the desert sky
And a star so bright will be my guide
To where you are
The only place I want to be is where you are

Guide me through paths
I’ve never been to
Oh light of heaven
Oh angels’ kin
Let this journey end
And let my destiny begin

What angels wait for me
In that blessed scene
What praise will my soul sing
To my newborn king

The only place I want to be
is where you are

It's not easy to accept feeling lost and on the outside, especially in a world in which being successful is everything. That's why it's hard to ever admit, even to our closest friends, that we're struggling, tasting more ashes than glory. Small wonder that our Christmas letters to our friends each year invariably are a list of all that's gone well in our lives and never an admittance of struggle or humiliation.

The same holds true in our personal lives. We have our good seasons, but we have seasons too where we lose relationships, lose health, lose friends, lose spouses, lose children, lose jobs, lose prestige, lose our grip, lose our dreams, lose our meaning, and end up humbled, alone, and lonely on a Friday night. But that's a place too, a valid and an important one. Inside that place, our souls are being shaped in ways we cannot understand but in ways that will stretch and widen them for a deeper love and happiness in the future.

The feeling of being lost is a valid place and it is important to us. Somehow that feeling would teach us to find our way back. More importantly, it would show us the light in the midst of the darkness of our lives. Yes, when it is dark enough, we could see the stars. Stars that would allow us to find our journey back home. Shinning so bright, calling our name to journey out and fulfill our destiny. A star from a far that would guide us to a place where we belong.