Palengke ng Bayan, San Ildefonso. Day Five. 15.0791, 120.9418

Had it not been for the sustaining grace of God, I might have contentedly done the very least required. I might have simply passed out the tracts, turned my heel, and departed as soon as the last leaf left my hand. Though the journey here takes but a little less than an hour, the distance is no small thing, and the flesh is ever quick to seek its own ease. Yet the Lord was my stay. 

All these years, I have found there are several ways I might 'ease' myself into the work. I can read prepared and selected Scriptures, or pass tracts to people, or even have conversation with a soul without attracting attention. These are paths I can tread with some measure of composure. But the most difficult hurdle—the one that has, in seasons past, caused my heart to fail and sent me retreating towards home—is finding the courage to stand fast before the multitude. To draw every eye, to command their attention, and to finally open my mouth to speak is a trial that no introvert such as I can truly master in his own strength. It is at that very threshold where the battle is won or lost, and where one truly learns to lean upon the Spirit for every word.

I opened a conversation with an elderly man who sat quietly within his service. After he had kindly accepted a tract, I sought to be neighborly, asking him a few simple questions to build a bridge between us. However, when our talk turned toward the solemn realities of life and death, a change came over him. He became visibly uneasy, casting his eyes downward and shifting in his seat, as if the weight of the subject were more than he wished to bear. I was able to say what was necessary for his soul before he politely excused himself to join his fellows. I had no desire to corner him or to cause him undue distress, for the Gospel is a net, not a trap. I thanked him for his time and wished him a safe journey, leaving the seed I had sown in the hands of the Lord, who alone can give the increase. This was one way of easing myself into speaking.

I proceeded along the short route around the market, offering tracts to every soul I encountered. There was a line of tricycles surrounding the grocery, and the drivers were either sitting idly or talking with each other. I find drivers to be among the most humble and accommodating of people; they sit long in their carriages awaiting passengers and will readily take up any reading material that helps to pass time. Yet, knowing I could not depart with a clear conscience without fulfilling the true purpose of my journey, I made my way to the market office. I have ever made it a point to seek the favor of the authorities before beginning, for it is better to ask leave and work in the light of day than to run into needless trouble. By their permission, I was able to take my stand in the public square, trusting that the Lord goes before those who walk in an orderly and respectful manner. The people here are kind.

The day was not without its particular trials, for the Lord had lessons in store for me regarding the nature of men. I have seen that one must expect to meet men in different colors in this endeavor—most notably those who consider themselves 'learned' yet use their knowledge only to make a show of it. I have learned to mark a man when he offers a store of information unasked; such a soul is usually seeking the affirmation of his fellows rather than the joy in simply talking with a redeemed Christian. 

One such fellow, who claimed a long history of preaching in the streets, invited me kindly to his space inside the market, thought I needed a lecture on what he knew and began his discourse on church history, but soon steered us into the murky waters of prophecy.

When he pressed his claims of new visions, I replied plainly: the Canon of Scripture is closed. God, who at sundry times spoke in time past, hath in these last days spoken to us through His Son. There are no extra-biblical prophecies to be acknowledged; for the Voice of the Son is sufficient and efficient for the soul.

Yet he persisted, sharply sidestepping—perhaps without even knowing it—the very weight of the first chapter of Hebrews. He seemed more concerned with the foretelling of events than the state of his own spirit. I was reminded then of the true plumb line of our faith: the Word declares that without holiness—not without prophecy—no man shall see the Lord. We are called to be a holy people before we are a knowing people, for our King is more concerned with our likeness to Him than our charts of the future. He went so far as to deny the sufficiency of Holy Scripture, insisting instead that new prophecies are the very 'seal' of a man's authenticity. I asked a single, plain question: 'So, what then is our message for the people?'

At this, he paused and leaned back, the flow of his talk suddenly halted. 'That’s a good question,' he replied. It was a most telling admission. He steered the conversation in another direction. It is a plain truth: if we set aside the Word of God, we have no message at all. We are but men shouting into the wind, offering a stone where there should be Bread. Without the sure anchor of the Written Word, the preacher is a sailor without a compass, and his hearers are left to drift upon the tides of human fancy.

I could care less if I do not know what will happen tomorrow, my concern is to obey my King today.

I shall not weary the reader with the details of our hour-long talk; suffice it to say that Scripture remains our trusted sword. By its sharp edge, we are enabled to cut through the tangled doctrines of fallible men. I depart with much to ponder for the next time I take my stand. I wish to say, in ending these reflections, that I do not count him a 'bad fellow' for holding fast to a different persuasion. In many things, we found ourselves to be of one mind and heart. Yet, in this I must remain immovable: the authority of Holy Scripture is a thing that can never be bartered nor negotiated. Man’s opinions may shift like the shadows, but God alone dictates what is Truth, and His Word is that Truth. I leave San Ildefonso with a quiet heart, knowing that while we may love the man, we must ever guard the Word. For if the foundation be destroyed what can the righteous do (Psalms 11:3)? For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the LORD abides for ever.(1 Peter 1:24-25)

This last picture explains itself as part of the risk of what I do. Despite the delay I arrived safely in the evening in time for corporate prayer with the beloved saints. The LORD is good.