Boiling Waters is a good source of reminders about love and relationships —mostly providing insights on how to get less life-wrecking pain from letting yourself out there. Yesterday, I saw this one and it made me think. Guilty ba tayo with this kung naniniwala tayo na may isang gaya ni Daniel na pwede natin ipinalangin?
It was never said in parts 1 and 2 of A Man Like Daniel that he is perfect. Perhaps we (women) are so used to settling for less that it bewilders our minds to grasp that a man like him could exist.
Reading chapters 8-10 unravels his raw humanity in comparison to revealed heavenly intent.
He is HUMAN because complicated truths about the future baffled him (8:37).
Visions about the end of time kept coming to Daniel. These are both pertaining to the immediate fate of the Israelites and also encompasses the end of the whole world. His inability to comprehend the vision has definitely caused him to be troubled. The intellectual struggle became an emotional one. It was one heavy burden that despite being a prayerful man, this caused him to lay sick for days!
While that can sound like a weakness, this implies how extraordinary of a man he is.
He was entrusted by God Himself. Even if his response seem like a frail one, the mere fact that Daniel was given these visions speaks volumes of how God sees him —trustworthy. Habang napakahirap magtiwala sa mga lalaki sa panahon natin ngayon, pinagkatiwalaan ng Diyos si Daniel. (Nakaka-speech less itong part na 'to).
Ang masasabi ko nalang, 'dun tayo sa hindi lang natin pinagkakatiwalaan kundi pinagkakatiwalaan mismo ng Diyos. Siya ang totoong nakakakita ng puso ng tao.
His frustration led him to prayer and fasting. Chapter 9 showed that he was not in denial of what his nation is facing. He was humble enough to even include himself as he asks for their forgiveness. When men are frustrated, their rage flare up. Kaliwa't kanan ang mga cases ng violence against women. Kahit 'yung mga sinasabing nagsisimba sila, hindi exempted. Hindi ganyan ang gusto ng Diyos na maranasan ng mga babae.
You might be thinking, "Wait, single akong babae. Bakit kailangan ko 'yan tandaan? Parang ang OA naman." Devoting himself in a real, deep relationship with God is the only thing that can make a man different from everyone else. Hindi sapat na mabait lang. Hindi naman 'yan magpapakita ng kasamaan ng ugali sa habang kayo o kung nanliligaw palang. A man's real character is seen in difficult circumstances.
Paano siya mag de-stress? Nainom ba? Tapos ang excuse ay, '"Minsan lang 'to. Malungkot lang talaga."
Di ko alam sa'yo besh pero hindi ko keri 'yang ganyan.
He was strong enough to admit weakness. In chapter 10, Daniel admitted multiple times in different ways that the vision he saw made him feel weak. After his humble confession, he was told to not be afraid —that what he is seeing is an answer to his prayers.
Hindi uso kay Daniel ang toxic masculinity. He was honest. He was humble.
The word of God has never placed a higher standard of courage on men just because they have XY chromosomes. To be strong is meant for everyone. And sometimes, the greatest display of strength is to admit weakness.
Hindi sad boi na manipulative: yung puro share ng problema tapos sasasabihin, "Sorry kasi ganito lang ako." Sa totoo lang, red flag na agad 'yan. Hindi ganyan kung Daniel eh. SOBRANG LAYO. Matured enough si Daniel na sa harap ng Diyos lang makikita 'yung vulnerability niya.
Hindi rin pa-strong na halos wala ka ng makitang imperfection niya. Red flag din 'yan, ghorl. Ang sobrang okay na lalaki ay 'yung kita sa kanya yung times na may pinagdadaanan siya pero nakikita mo rin na nakadepende siya kay Lord para mapagtagumpayan 'yun.
Bale, ang point lang talaga, TAO si DANIEL, hindi ALIEN. <3
Pero isa siyang taong halimbawa ng maayos na character.
It was said more than once that Daniel is precious to God. Imagine being with someone who is treasured by God himself for his obedience and faithfulness.
Asking for someone like him isn't intergalactic at all.
Praying to be a female version isn't either.
It's faith.
In a world that settles for 'normal', let us be people who will earnest seek God especially when we don't understand.
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