BREAKTHROUGHS

It was around 3am. We were all taking a break from the cycling. One Fist and ZA were fighting their guts out over a good round of chinese chess; with 5 or 6 other guys looking and aiding on. Ben, TR, Justin, and The Prodigy were chatting on the floor. Barely an arm's length away, Dot, PH, me, and The Master were having our own chat.

I was lying down on my back on the bench, with my head propped up to a comfortable angle by Dot's haversack. Momentarily, I marveled at how funnily unlucky it would be if a bird were to fly pass and defecate squarely on my face. The toes still ache from time to time. I closed and rested my eyes. My senses, though, were still prickly alert; picking up random drifts of conversations at will.

The chinese chess gang were, of course, yakking over the round of game; throwing in bits of advices here and there. Fact is, the onlookers were more of trying to get the players to end the game ASAP so that we can all proceed on to MacDonalds for a good (air-conditioned) break. The Prodigy gang was talking about eclectic topics, ranging from cooking to food to ships to the Navy.



The Master's voice drifted over.

"... Would ask the members, how long do they spend praying on average. Some of them spend longer than I do, and it's great!"



He continued.

"Then comes my next question: 'At the end of the day, what did you get out of it? Any revelations?'

Because, that's the whole point, isn't it? Praying for revelations. Revelations to solve a particular problem. Revelations of how and who He is. Revelations of knowing Him more intimately. Revelations of your life. Revelation of revival. Revelations of anything. That's the whole point, isn't it? If not, what's the use of doing QT or praying?"



I swallowed. The gears in my brain gritted to a slow halt. I drew in a slow breath and furrowed the brows. Albeit simple as it is, that is a good question. I've never quite asked myself this question before; at least, not in that direct manner. What have I gotten or learned from EACH session of spending time with Him? What have I learned? How have I changed? How have I been a blessing to the people around me? Am I consciously taking stock on and keeping tabs on my walk? Self-awareness. Do I have that enough? How am I being molded into His likeness? In what way, exactly?



"... And then, I'll probe further, 'Based on these, what breakthroughs have you experienced or are on the verge of experiencing? Which direction are you moving in? How have things - or you, even - changed?'

Because, this is the way things work. With persistent prayers come revelations. Revelations mixed with persistent actions and hard work yield results. With results, come breakthrough. Praying; revelations; breakthrough. This is how things should progress."



I opened my eyes, and stared into the seemingly endless, black, night sky.



I realized, I've been quite a jerk.

It felt like He just spoke.



In a way, I've been breaking through personally all these while, but yet too blinded to notice and to give thanks for.