Love, give, live

www.franciskong.com

When I heard that Francis Kong will be speaking at our office for our "Kapihan", my reaction was "Ah, ok."

The topic is about "Managing Perspective for Success". At the back of my mind, perhaps it will just be another talk on how to achieve our dreams, soar high in career, get fame, and produce a lot of money. I used to be so engrossed about these stuff, and yes they are all exciting to the ears, but I have already developed a change of viewpoint when it comes to success: not how the world defines it.

The name Francis Kong sounds very familiar, but shame on me, I haven't heard any of his talks, or read any of his blogs yet. I wondered why most, if not all of my officemates were so excited.

Until I saw his name in this book... 

...and found out that he is one of those who had a life-changing encounter with God.

Then all of a sudden, I guess more than anybody else in the office, I was very excited for May 23 to come, and hear what he has to say.

First, let me share to you how Francis Kong, in this book, narrated his story living from a flavorless life to a purposeful one.

This is my Story^ is a collection of inspiring first-person accounts celebrating the triumph of God's power over human weakness and testifying that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and grace. And as quoted in it, "Some stories challenge the mind while other stories inspire the heart. But only God's story of love can change a life."

A TASTE FOR GOD

There was a time when I thought a man was responsible only for himself. Other people were not my business and neither was God. To me, God was just a myth, some fairy tale for the weak who wouldn't face up to the challenge of being the captain of one's fate, the master of one's soul.

I, however, decided that I was not weak. I was strong. I was driven. I had grown up in a family that was never rich and I decided that such a life was not enough for me. I wanted more. I wanted to be rich. I wanted to be famous. Above all, I wanted to be powerful. And so I worked hard. The world was a jungle but I knew how to use my brains. I was smart and competitive and I had a good game plan.

But that kind of life demanded so much from me, and so in turn I demanded much from life. I had all the toys my money could buy and more. I had my vices and cheap thrills. I deserved to be happy, I thought, whatever the cost. I was unfaithful to my wife. I envied the rich and consoled myself with the assurance that my day would come. I used people to get what I wanted. I bent the rules to my advantage in business dealings. I compromised whatever shred of moral principles I still had to get to the top. I was on my way up. I was going to be one of the richest, most successful executives on the block.

Still, constantly compromising my moral standards left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I felt bad about myself.

When I had money I was secure; when I lacked money I was insecure. When I achieved something I was happy; when I failed in my work I hated everything. My entire life simply worked that way. The more I compromised, the more wretched I became. My life was a constant struggle, a daily race, clutching at straws.

Ironically, I hit the lowest pits of depression when I reached the peak of my goal. At age thirty, right on schedule, I was chief executive of a popular company. I thought to myself, "If the average Filipino lives up to sixty and I'm thirty and have reached the height of my dreams, why does success taste like ash? What am I going to do with the rest of my life?"

A TASTE OF FREEDOM

A friend of mine, seeing me in my sad state, told me, "Francis, you will never have peace until you invite the Prince of Peace to stay and rule in your heart." And that was the first time I paid serious attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It got me thinking. After all, the cause of my depression was my life's lack of peace. When I got home that night I decided to pray. After almost two weeks of being hardly able to sleep, I woke up looking at the face of my wife who told me I had slept for sixteen straight hours.

That wasn't all. To my amazement, after being a smoker for fourteen years, I discovered that I had developed a distaste for cigarettes.

After receiving Christ in my life I finally understood: Happiness is inside out, not outside in. All our efforts to pursue happiness are in vain, because happiness is simply a by-product of a godly life. I began to see my life as a mission. I had an intense longing to know God more and to study His Word. Prayer became a regular part of my life. At first, the struggles of going all out for Christ were there partly because I always thought that it was impossible to do business and stay straight and honest. But because I knew God loved me, the least I could do for Him was to obey Him. The lessons I learned from His Word gave me the basis to do and judge what was right.

Having a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ made me realize that life was to be lived for a purpose - and that purpose is Christ. The life I now lead carries the responsibility of telling others about Christ, too. Like the apostle Paul of the New Testament, I can say that my life is worth nothing to me, if only that I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace.#

He didn't have much props at all. He just had a laptop where he seldom looked at, hands for gestures, a supporting wife seated at the back, a tongue, and a sincere heart.

He relayed his humble beginnings and shared his personal experiences that led him to where he is right now. Sure enough, he taught us certain concepts on how to manage perspective for success, most of which are expressed/implied biblical principles.

And as I was frozen, watching and listening to him - his wisdom, his character, his humor, the way he connects with his audience, I can't help but tell myself, "This man is carrying out God's purpose for his life."

I love most the way he ended his talk. He left us with three beautiful words: Love, Give, Live - the way God, Himself displayed. We hear this verse everywhere, and even sang it as little children, but Francis Kong imparted what it earnestly meant...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Until now, it still echoes in my ears. That moment is still vivid in my mind. After articulating the verse, there was a short pause, followed by an intense round of applause.

And when I clapped, it was an applause of praise and gratitude to God, for allowing this person to speak and tap a string in my and my officemates' hearts... with a prayer that those words will not be like the wind that comes and simply passes, but like the rain that "comes down from heaven, and does not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish. (Isaiah 55:10)"

Let us love and give just the way God graciously demonstrated, and experience the fullness of life that is in Jesus Christ*. Let us invite the Prince of Peace in our hearts and taste a happiness that is not outside in, but inside out.

 ^This is my Story (c2004) published by OMF Literature, Inc.

Address: 776 Boni Ave., Mandaluyong M.M.; Website: www.omflit.com
with Cityland Foundation, Inc.  

          *Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalms 34:8