Huwag ninyong ibigin ang sanlibutan o ang mga bagay na nasa sanlibutan. Ang umiibig sa sanlibutan ay hindi umiibig sa Ama. Ang lahat ng nasa sanlibutan, ang masasamang nasa ng laman, ang nasa ng mga mata, at ang pagmamalaki sa mundong ito ay hindi nagmumula sa Ama kundi sa sanlibutan. Mawawala ang sanlibutan at ang lahat ng kinahuhumalingan nito, ngunit ang mga sumusunod sa kalooban ng Diyos ay mabubuhay magpakailanman.

1 Juan 2:15-17

Social media has made it easy for people to fall into the trap of envy, discontent, and pride. How easy it is for us to be envious when we see somebody buy something we don’t have, or to feel na mas angat ka dahil naabot mo na ‘yung pangarap ng iba. The positive reaction from people — in the form of like, love, and thumbs-up emojis — becomes the currency of validation. You want to get more and more of it every time you share something with the world. What your heart is really saying is this: “Look at what I have … Don’t you think I’m the greatest? Tell me I’m awesome.”

God’s Word tells us to do what’s contrary to the norm. First century pa lang, the Apostle John already warned us Christians against worldliness. He gave sound advice, which is still relevant in the 21st century: “Don’t love the world or the things of the world. Mawawala rin ang mga iyan someday. ‘Yung mga sumusunod sa will ni God? They will live forever.”

It’s about time that we go against the flow. Yes, it might be easier to act and think like the majority but we don’t have to. Follow the example of Jesus. When tempted by Satan with the promise of wealth, fame, and power, He said no. When you are getting blinded by the glitter of the world, close your eyes and think about God instead. More than anything or anyone else, Siya lang talaga ang worthy of your loyalty and love.

Kapag naunawaan natin ang ating purpose, mararanasan natin ang peace o kapayapaan na nagmumula sa Diyos. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay “nothing missing, nothing lacking.” Alam mo, hindi ito matatagpuan sa mga materyal na bagay o maging sa mundo kundi kay Jesus lamang. Maybe it’s time to pause and surrender everything kay Jesus dahil alam Niya ang pinagdaraanan mo. Whether its problems, questions, or fears, alam ni Jesus iyan at binibigyan Niya ng lubos na kapayapaan ang sinumang nagtitiwala sa Kanya (Isaias 26:3). So, the next time you feel like na parang paulit-ulit ang buhay, tandaan mo ang kapayapaang hatid ni Jesus.