I remember my mom many years ago who put a photograph of a nice car on top of her bed’s headboard. I came from a poor background. My paternal grandparents were farmers and my maternal grandparents were fishermen. When I saw that photo of a Nissan brand new car, I asked mom how was she going to get it when we barely eat and we were so much in financial debt. Sabi ko: “mommy, wala naman tayo pera tapos may ambisyon ka pa ng ganyan kagandang kotse.” As a young boy I saw what my naked eyes can see: lack and poverty.

My mom did not give up on her dream that one day, she will have that car. She worked as a midwife in our local community but she had that unmoveable belief that regardless of where she was at that time: poor and unaware how could that dream happen,  she did not falter. She kept it in her heart.

One day, I was astonished when she asked my dad and me to take her to Manila for us to go to a car dealer. She purchased that same color and car brand on the picture. We then drove that car home and all of us were filled with joy. She said that she managed to save up enough money for this car.

Ang nakakatuwa pa was that my parents were telling me a story about how poor we were before. When my siblings and I were very young (we’re six children at that time with one year age gap between us, without our brother Milky as he was born a bit late). Most jeepneys (public transport) were passing, the moment they saw my parents, some drivers don’t allow my parents plus six children to get on the jeep because only my mom and dad will pay. Wala kaming pamasahe dahil kulang ang aming pera. All of us six children would have to sit on top of the other (three kids on my mom’s lap and 3 children on top of my dad’s lap). Patong-patong kami, nakakandong habang lahat nakatingin ang mga kapwa pasahero kase dalawa lang ang magbabayad: only mom and dad would pay.

That experience is funny now, but it was embarrassing and humiliating at that time. When my mom acquired the Nissan car, on my way home and while riding on a car for the very first time, I told myself, truly there is God. He transformed our lives from “nothing” into “something”. Now, we don’t have to take a jeepney anymore. Glory to God! Hindi ko sinasabi ito para magyabang ngunit upang itaas ang kapurihan ng Diyos sa aming buhay.

What about you? Do you keep your goals alive? Do you see your “dream Nissan car” Do you have a photograph of what you want to achieve in life? Or do you allow those thoughts why you cannot achieve great things?

If I were you, put a picture of your dreams to where you can see it regularly, daily. On your walls, headboards, wallets or doors. Is it a lovely home you want? A spouse or a lifetime partner? Children? Dream job or promotion? A holiday? Professional and educational achievements? Financial stability? Family life? Restoration of broken relationship?

I want to encourage you today to do what mom did; she kept her goals in front of her. Every day she sees her dream car which stirred up her inner being to keep believing. She worked hard, and God blessed her effort.

In the Bible, there was David, a young shepherd boy. Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread and run quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of the unit. See how your brothers are doing and bring back news of them.”

The Bible says: “The Philistine army had a hero named Goliath who was from the town of Gath and was over nine feet and ten inches tall. He wore a bronze helmet and had bronze armor to protect his chest and legs. The chest armor alone weighed about one hundred twenty-five pounds. He carried a bronze sword strapped on his back, and his spear was so big that the iron spearhead alone weighed more than fifteen pounds. A soldier always walked in front of Goliath to carry his shield. Goliath went out and shouted to the army of Israel and challenged Israel’s whole army. Saul and his men heard what Goliath said, but they were so frightened of Goliath that they couldn’t do a thing. Goliath came out and gave his challenge every morning and every evening for forty days.

Imagine that. For forty days and forty nights, Goliath came out to terrify the Israelites. What the people see was how big this giant was and how small they were.  What about you? Do you see the bigness of your problem and how small you are? Do you hear many times the reason why you cannot make it in life? Do you hear negativities and criticisms as if you don’t stand a chance to succeed? I want to remind you to not forget the bigness of God.

Look at what David did when he asked some soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does that worthless Philistine think he is? He’s making fun of the army of the living God!”

But it is interesting to note David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the soldiers. Eliab was angry at him and said, “What are you doing here, anyway? Who’s taking care of that little flock of sheep out in the desert? You spoiled brat! You came here just to watch the fighting, didn’t you?”

One Bible translation stated that some soldiers overheard David talking, so they told Saul what David had said. Saul sent for David, and David came. “Your Majesty,” he said, “this Philistine shouldn’t turn us into cowards. I’ll go out and fight him myself!”

“You don’t have a chance against him,” Saul replied. “You’re only a boy, and he’s been a soldier all his life.” But David told him: “Your Majesty, I take care of my father’s sheep. And when one of them is dragged off by a lion or a bear, I go after it and beat the wild animal until it lets the sheep go. If the wild animal turns and attacks me, I grab it by the throat and kill it. Sir, I have killed lions and bears that way, and I can kill this worthless Philistine. He shouldn’t have made fun of the army of the living God! The Lord has rescued me from the claws of lions and bears, and he will keep me safe from the hands of this Philistine.

David went on to kill Goliath and the Palestine ran away in fear. David kept his eyes on the prize. He even said that Goliath was “worthless”.  He did not mind what his brother Eliab said to him nor what King Saul said to him. He kept his goal alive by killing this giant that causes fear. He was up for the challenge. That kind of belief system is what we need in our today’s life where we are all bombarded by people who dislike us and don’t believe in us.

Do you have “Eliab” or “King Saul” in your life? Who puts you down? Who inspires you? There are people will tell you of what you cannot be and will inform you why you cannot make it. They will tell you that “You don’t have a chance…” But keep believing. Never lose your hope. Keep your goals alive.

But David understood that principle of asking what the rewards are. He carried the name of God in his heart. He saw the picture of himself while killing the bears and lions. The same strategy he will use to kill Goliath. He had that picture in mind of a winner.

Today, I want to encourage you: live your dreams and make it happen. Never let others undermine what God has destined you to be. He said in the book of Jeremiah: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a better future.” Make it a habit to live inspired, motivated and upbeat through the reading of the Word of God. One day, your “car” so to speak will be delivered into you will your dreams will be fulfilled if you keep believing. Keep your eyes on the prize and the glory it will bring unto you and your family and unto God. I read once: It’s time to break out of your shell and show the world who you really and what you’re made of. Now, it’s time.