On Listening to God’s leading

by Mari Cris Manatad

I am currently serving as Branch Women Moderator in Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon (ALNP) Cebu. I started my spiritual journey in college when I joined Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA) in Iligan City. I graduated last 2014 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering. I moved to Cebu by October 2014, six months after my college graduation for work and further study. I enrolled for a Masters degree in Environmental Studies in the University of the Philippines Cebu while working in pneumatics and electrical industry as a Sales Engineer.

It was December 2019 when I courageously resigned from my job and became a full time review student for the electronics board exam on April 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and a series of community lockdown hit the country. Our board exam underwent a series of cancellations too. I went back home to Iligan City and spent more of my time with my family.

It was December 2020 when I was invited to join the Built to Last series season 5. I hesitated because I have an on-going service commitment in Lingkod. Aside from that, I was in our province and I had no clear idea when I could go back to Cebu. But since the activities will be conducted online, I can join the activities. In spite of my hesitation, the Lord was clear to me that this was His personal invitation to be part of His marvelous plan. I said yes. In February I was surprisingly hired by a multinational company in Cebu. Despite not having definite plan to go back, the job opportunity was right at the door knocking. When I got the job offer, I was not sold-out yet because I had some clarifications. They got back to me a week after for the upgraded job offer. The Lord, indeed, works in mysterious ways. During our offer discussion with the HR manager, I was surprised at myself because I accepted it smoothly and was even excited for it. I was puzzled at myself for the quick decision change. It was unusual as I always take my time. I know deep in my heart, it was the Lord. It was His Holy Spirit working in my life. I was just meant to say Yes at that moment. I cried thanking the Lord for taking control in everything and even in my decisions. Indeed, the Lord is my daily Life Coach. What matters to God, matters to me. I was then at

peace and excited to go back to Cebu for a new endeavor.

It was February 25, Thursday, when we were encouraged to go to confession before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the Built to Last series. It was with all honesty that I said to the priest that I lied about my travel documents. My travel documents’ address were in my condominium unit in Lapu-Lapu City but in fact I will be living in Cebu City with my sister in Lingkod. That way, I can avoid the swab test and all required covid testing required by Cebu City. Part of my negotiation with the Lord was that, “So Lord, imo naman jud ko paadtuon ug Cebu, basta wala lay swab test ha.” All went well in my travel. The company that hired me also knew about my preference of not taking covid testing. It was February 26, Friday morning when I received the message from the human resource manager that the company now required it, and it is non- negotiable to take the swab test prior to proper employment. Employees have to take every other two weeks swab testing as implemented in all subsidiaries of the company. That alarmed me and somehow weakened my so-called destiny in Cebu. I was not told prior to my acceptance of the job offer about this non-negotiable requirement. I said, “Lord, I just crossed the Red Sea. It’s so hard to go back home this time. Maybe, I will just apply for another job.” I realized that all companies right

now have implemented covid testing and who am I to break and disobey that protocol because of my own preferences? But, the Lord has so much in store for me. His timing is always right. As I was looking for ways to continue my career, I thought of starting a business. I am a neophyte in the art of business. I just started my online bookstore and I have so many things to learn on the matter. February 27 came and it was already our outpouring day. I was sleepless thinking and searching for business names. I was to start up an electrical engineering business in alignment of my prior work experience. I have been looking everywhere for the name, but I found none. All seems taken already. The prophecies of the outpouring was a direct manifestation of the Lord to me and a personal message of the Lord. It was brother Mon Tadle who prophesied the Psalm 118:15 which speaks about the mighty power of the Lord in our lives. All the descriptions he mentioned was in alignment to my heart and at that moment I cried. I pondered on how the Lord orchestrated that message and was so personal to me. It felt like the Lord was directly speaking to me. These were the words that struck me, “Blessing, believe, open your heart, release your spirit to me, I am your God.”

February 26 was our Day of Prayer in Lingkod. I received a prophecy through the book of Ezra that says, “Arise! For this matter belong unto you. We will also be with you. Be of good courage and do it!” I am fully reliant on the every-day graces of the Lord in my life. Everything I have is a grace, and it is also a grace to not have everything. Because not having everything leaves room for the Lord. I have something to learn and explore too in the area of my career. Through the outpouring prophecies, I know God wants me to name and run the business under His Mighty Power. When I checked the website domain, DTI business names, no one in the electrical world have used it yet. March 1, 2021, I officially registered the business name, “Mighty Power Electrical Engineering Services”.

Courageously, I declined the job offer and started the business. The abundance that I will acquire in the future through this business venture is just a tool for me to pay it forward. I don’t own any single centavo in this world. I am merely a steward.

This is not the end of my story, it is just the beginning of my journey. The story on how I started and how I was blessed by the Lord through my simple Yeses. You just don’t know how clueless I am in every moment of my life. It is only in the Lord that I am confident in my decisions. Today is another blessing and another miracle of my life. I am blessed to be in this community, surrounded with faithful brothers and sisters. Above the many things I have in life, what I believe that I am abundantly blessed of is that I am always with the Lord through the faces of my brothers and sisters.

** first published in Ang Panimalay 1Q 2021