“Sometimes, love holds back.” The thought crossed my mind as I was reading the story of Jesus and Lazarus. In John 11, two truths stand side by side and yet are so in contrast: First, that Jesus loved Lazarus. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”  (John 11:5) And second, that Jesus intentionally stayed where He was for two more days after hearing Lazarus was sick. “So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.”  (John 11:6) Love

When I was younger, I remember praying this prayer in my quiet moments with the Lord: “Lord, hold me and don’t let me go. Huwag mo ko bibitawan, please?” I prayed it because, deep down, I knew this truth about myself—no matter how much I profess my love for God, my own grip would fail me. I could not fully trust myself to remain faithful to the faith I claimed to believe in. There might come a day when I would loosen my hold, when I would betray the very values I hold dear.

Love covers a multitude of sins. — 1 Peter 4:8 Have you ever heard this verse? Most probably, especially if you are a Christian. You’ve likely heard it preached from the pulpit or seen it paired with inspiring images on social media. There was a time when this verse made me cry in gratitude. To think that a love so great could cover my sins—what beauty, what grace could do that for someone like me. But grace does not pretend that sin does not exist. It does not excuse harm, n

“Poverty has a smell.” I once read someone say this on Threads, and I agreed. Through outreaches, I’ve met some of the poorest people in our country, and without sugarcoating it, yes, sometimes they do smell. But earlier today, as I held a child in my arms, her face still wet from crying, her saliva on my shoulder, her scent close to my nose as I try not to be bothered by her smell, suddenly it struck me… Yes, poverty has a smell but it is a smell that Jesus loves. Because po

“You don’t see yourself worthy.” Bro. Sadhu’s words echoed in my head. When he prayed over me, those words felt like it has uncovered a...

“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn't.”...