The Goodness of God

  

 The world we live in is a mess. It’s fallen, cursed, and sinful. Our enemy, Satan, wreaks havoc. Injustice seems to prevail, and innocent people suffer, but God. The story of humanity is not over yet. God’s plan is perfect. He intends to rescue us all along. Though we rebel and the world is sin-cursed, He reigns in sovereign control. To follow Christ is to gain everlasting hope and eternal life with God in heaven. At some time or another, every Christian is bound to have asked it: What is God doing in my life? 
    Joseph certainly was that person. From the human point of view, he had every entitlement to ask that question. Because, as you remember from the beginning of the story, God seemed to have worked in his life strangely. His very early years were difficult. But, perhaps, given him an early indication that God intended to do something excellent and marvelous with him, he was intended in some sense for a kind of greatness.   He couldn’t cope with that moment of illumination, and from the human point of view, he badly messed up his own life. And yet, as on this very moving, tender, heartbreaking occasion, his brothers come to him with their father’s last message, and he speaks these beautiful and remarkable words.  Looking at the whole of his own life, especially the series of disasters that seemed to transpire him. He says, “As far as you were concerned, you meant things for evil, to harm me; but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20)”  
    "But God." This phrase is mentioned over  40 times in the Bible. Every verse in which this phrase is used brings an element of hope to a desperate situation. “But God” signifies a redirection in what we can accomplish, in contrast to the power and works of God. It yields to God’s power, sovereignty, and majesty. God is perfectly just, merciful, and forgiving. His grace and love are unmatched.
    We make choices; we are responsible for and will account for our choices, BUT God is above all our choices and uses them to bring about and accomplish His purposes. We can do it the easy way or the hard way, but His will WILL be accomplished. You can work with Him or against Him, but His will WILL be done.  God is at work in and through the freely chosen actions of people and will, through those actions, bring about His perfect and eternal will.
    We need to understand that God is faithful even though we are not. One of the ideas you notice from the Bible is how these Bible characters of the faith made some big mistakes along the way. They are sinful people just like us. Yet, despite that fact, God never forgot His promise. He never turned away from His plan. God was faithful even when we, his servants, were not. 
    We need to remember that decisions have consequences. Throughout the Bible, we have seen this repeatedly. Bad choices create hardship and lead people away from God.
NOTHING is outside God's control (that does not mean God sends everything). Sinful actions bring tragedy and pain. However, God works out His purposes even in pain.) If you hold on to three simple truths, you will be able to keep moving even when life doesn't make any sense. God is in Control. He Loves Me. He Never Makes a Mistake. These principles will not take away the pain. It will not make bad situations something we can understand. But it will help us hang on until we can see more clearly. 
    Thanks be to God that life is not left to the mere whims of chance. Thank God that God does not leave us to work things out ourselves. He is there to help us. And even though we may not know how to get through a difficult time, we learn from these truths that we WILL get through it. And when we understand, we will be grateful.
May God bless you and keep you always.
Pastor Dimas

Reflections of my Doctoral Journey

 

Reflection on my Doctoral Journey

           After three years of rigorous schoolwork, I started conducting my research and finished writing my doctoral dissertation. I was physically and mentally exhausted when I started the final leg of my doctoral journey. I held a full-time job as a Senior Pastor, which required many responsibilities on my part, from pastoral visitations to sermon preparation and many other things. However, despite this unimaginable weariness, I felt empowered and motivated because now I could see the fruits of my labor and dedication. Finally, the end was near, and I saw the completion of something I had worked so hard to accomplish.

           It took me ten months to complete my dissertation. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) rejected the first dissertation proposal that I submitted. After that setback, I was given the option of submitting a new proposal for approval. This new option would require presenting a new topic, a new research design, and rewriting the first three chapters of the dissertation. I was given 12 weeks to do all that. My other option was to quit and receive an ABD (All But Dissertation). This setback was devastating to me. I found myself asking God for guidance and direction. At the same time, negative thoughts and the un-motivation to continue were present every day. Finally, after talking to several individuals and listening to their advice, I decided to move on and submit a new proposal.

           There were many struggles along the path of this journey. In September of 2018, Hurricane Florence devastated Eastern North Carolina, where I live. As a result, many families within our church family required assistance to get their lives back in order. It was a busy time. Due to this catastrophic event, I had to drop out of school. I needed to be able to concentrate on the aftermath of this atmospheric phenomenon. At the same time, I was moving into a new job, becoming the Senior Pastor of the church I presently lead.

 I got back to school the following term in January of 2019. However, things were not improving on the personal side of my life. In February of 2019, my mother suffered a stroke. I flew to Puerto Rico and stayed there for about one month, helping my sister take care of my mom. My mother eventually went to be with her Savior later that year. Dealing with her death made me temporarily lose my motivation. Nevertheless, with the help of my family and godly friends, I was able to get back on track.

My journey seeking a better life started over three decades ago when I left my hometown of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and came to the United States. I grew up with no luxuries, just a godly mother who taught me to love God and serve Him above everything else. Remembering my humble beginnings is essential to me. My mother's upbringing, love, dedication, and sacrifice made me the person I am today.

My mother was a single mother raising four children. She never graduated from college. As a matter of fact, she completed high school going to night school. However, she understood the value of education. To my mother, our only responsibility was to go to school, have good grades, and eventually attend college and obtain a college degree. Getting this doctorate was my most significant tribute to my mother's sacrifices for her children's education. I know from heaven that she cheered me up and motivated me to complete my dissertation. I love you, and I missed you, Mom. Thank you for everything you did for me.

Completing a doctoral degree is not easy, even for the most talented individuals. At the beginning of my doctoral program, I was highly excited. However, I felt intensely intimated and inferior to my classmates during my first course. They all seemed more thoughtful and better educated than me. Moreover, with English as my second language, academic writing did not come easy. However, I found support from my friends and my boss, Dr. Joe Capper. He took me on under his wing, provided me with counsel and prayer, and helped me with my writing. I still remember my first course and how intimidating it was. I remember submitting my first paper to Dr. Capper for editing. It was ten pages long. When I got it back a few days later, it was fifteen pages because of all the corrections and comments he made. I realized that it would be a long and challenging journey.

My insecurities and self-doubts were the driving forces that made me work harder. I studied twice as hard and wrote twice as long as everyone else. I worked harder and longer to compensate for my shortcomings. I self-imposed deadlines on all my papers because I needed to submit my draft to Dr. Capper for editing. This task put tremendous pressure on me with long hours of research, writing, and rewriting.

My will and determination helped me to overcome my fear of failing. Writing my dissertation has been the most demanding, exhausting, yet enriching endeavor in my life. It was a long and arduous journey not just for me but also for my wife, who had supported me throughout the process. From my experience, it is easy to get lost along the way, procrastinate, and give in to distractions. But with perseverance and hard work, the finish line is attainable.

Today is graduation day. I am walking on the stage, being hooded, and conferred my doctoral degree. This moment is a life-fulfilling moment for me—an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. This doctoral journey was a transformative process for me. It was a self-discovery experience of how much I could persevere to accomplish something I consider worthwhile.

I am thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave me the strength, endurance, and health to complete this journey. To my lovely wife, Nora, who cheered me and supported me through many ups and downs in the last four years. To my children, Dee, and Jonathan, for their support. To my church family, Living Hope Community Church, for their constant prayers and encouragement. Lastly, to my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Joe Capper. You never gave up on me. And even after I left the job at the Association, you were there for me. Your constant words of encouragement, prayers, and support were crucial for me to complete this journey. I do not have words to express my gratitude to you. God bless you.

My graduation was a life-fulfilling moment: an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. The experience made me realize that I am more than I ever thought. It changed me. I came out stronger and better. Because I overcame my fears and shortcomings, I became more hopeful about the future.