WHAT IS LIFE?

Life is like a race, or probably more like a marathon. It has a starting point, it has a finish.
We get tired and sometimes we might want so stop. We trip, fall and then get up. There are
different paths and directions we can choose from and run through roads that are narrow, steep,
smooth and wide. There are obstacles that might hinder us but we just have to keep running.
Starting Point. Life started far before you were born or when you finally became
conscious on your surroundings. It begun at fertilization with the embryos conception. Now this
topic has been a favourite debate between medical experts regarding the parameters of abortion. I
wont dwell much on that topic but I just want to emphasize that that stage 1 zygote though
formless and unconscious is already alive and has every right to live. Only a living human is
capable of growing and developing whether in physical or in mental sense. Though our height
and body structure does stop at a certain time but our cells do not stop developing. We shed cells
and we grow new ones. In mental sense, as long as were alive we never stop acquiring
knowledge. Its all the same with the zygote. It is capable of growing and developing.
The Road. Life isnt always an easy walk where the road is straight, smooth and wide.
Sometimes we have those episodes where our feet get bruised by sharp stones in the ground and
the humps in the way wear us down. Struggles are required in order to survive in life, because in
order to stand up, you gotta know what falling down is. We fall, we rise, we make mistakes, we
learn, we live. Plus, it is also Gods way to remind us to have faith in Him. After all, he knows
the future. While you only see that ugly stain in the canvas, God sees beauty in the whole
painting.
Why We Run. Its hard to keep going without a purpose. You are where you are now
because God placed you there for a reason. And that reason isnt for you to only live for yourself
but for God. Whats your purpose for studying? For aiming for promotion? For waking up every
day? Isnt it to glorify the One who created you? We are all born worship. When we see
something that is beautiful, we utter the word Wow. Wow to the awesome God who made all
of these things possible. Now, every single thing that we own and earn in this earth is only
temporal. They can all disappear in just a split second if God wills it because in the first place,
we arent entitled of anything. Thats why we should invest on something that will outlast it.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves
break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6: 19-20)
Finish Line. Finish line is when your life ends. Now, this is quite paradoxical for some
since most people dont want to die but then as we run the race we get closer and closer to death.
As a Christian we have confidence that what Christ did on the cross saved us from eternal
damnation in hell and we now consider death not something to be feared upon but something to
look forward to. To die means meeting God face-to-face. We will lose trials, tears, the world, the
devil and we keep our identity, we gain heaven and the presence of God. With this, we not only
win life, but also death.
Life is race. It starts when we are born and ends when we die. I may experience suffering
and disappointments but I have Christ who not only cheers us up but also gives a helping hand. I
may not understand now but someday it will all make sense. Because I know that when I reach
that finish line whether its today or another 10 more years, I will be home at last.
ESTHER FAITH S. GABRIEL
BS-Pharmacy 3 A

WHAT IS LIFE?

Haaay buhay is probably my most used phrase whenever I fail an exam. I feel like I
lost a game and ashamed to face myself. Thoughts like I shouldve reviewed more, I shouldve
worked harder swarm my head. Then I remind myself why. Why do I need to stay up all night to
study this subject? Why do I want to get a high grade and be a laude? Oh right, I want those uno
grades in my transcript so that I could get the best job with a high pay. Ah, yes! I will earn lots of
money and I will travel the world and experience all the pleasures in life. And when I get
successful, Ill meet my dream man and have my family. But then, isnt it that all of these things
are only temporal?
That two-storey house I spent 3 million with got caught up in fire and burned to ashes.
That drug manufacturing company where I work was sued for making a drug that wasnt safe.
My husband who I loved so dearly left me for another woman. So theres nothing that is certain
in this world. What then shall keep me going now that I know that Im investing on things that
are only fleeting? The present time? Im not even sure, if I can make it out alive throughout the
end of this day. Now the next question is what guarantees a successful and meaningful life?
Philippians 1:21 To live is Christ and to die is gain. Christ whos blood was shed on the cross
to cleanse my soul and free me from the chains of sin. It is he brought me out of guilt into
forgiveness, out of darkness into light, out of my rebellion into His love, out of death into life.
He gave me new hope and a reason to live. And that is to worship and glorify Him.
Life might be tiring and full of struggles that I do not understand but I will not worry and
lose heart, because I know that my God is in control of everything. He who holds the earth on its
orbit, he who created the universe and he who knows the future shall sustain me. This is what
fuels me to keep going. To press on toward the prize. To look on whats ahead. A life that is
eternal. A life that is certain. Oh death, where is your sting? Your power is dead as my sin. Now, I
consider death not as something to be feared on but to be look forward to. To die means meeting
God face-to-face. We will lose trials, tears, the world, the devil and we keep our identity, we gain
heaven and the presence of God. So how do we win this life and even death? Philippines 1:21.
Life is race. It starts when we are born and ends when we die. I may experience suffering
and disappointments but I have Christ who not only cheers us up but also gives a helping hand. I
may not understand now but someday it will all make sense. Because I know that when I reach
that finish line whether its today or another 10 more years, I will be home at last.
No guilt in life, no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me. From lifes first cry to
final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

ESTHER FAITH S. GABRIEL

BS-Pharmacy 3 A

WHAT IS LIFE?

ESTHER FAITH S. GABRIEL

BS-Pharmacy 3 A