Dedication: Our Act of Patriotism Consummating Towards the Nation’s Healing

​by: Jesus V. Sison

“Dedicate yourself to what gives your life true meaning and purpose; make a positive difference in someone’s life.” ― Roy T. Bennett
We desire that this pandemic with all its associated ordeals will come to an end. We are holding on to our hope for a better future. As we endure to confront the COVID-19 crisis, we look for ways to do our specific roles and bring change for the better through our combined efforts. No matter what, either short or even long terms, optimism always thumps pessimism. All it takes is “DEDICATION” towards each other and dedication to what we are supposed to accomplish in moving forward to beat this horrible illness in whatever way we are able to help.
The dictionary defines dedication as the willingness to give a lot of time and energy to something  because  it  is important;  or  it  is  also   a ceremony in   which   something is formally opened or made available to the public. Regardless of the definition and the use of words, it is the quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose. In essence, it means that we have committed to someone, to something and to a certain purpose in life.
Dedication is a single-minded focus on something we decide on. It is a commitment we make towards achieving a goal. As a result of that dedication, we are willing  to  sacrifice almost everything in our lives. Many of us devote our time, money, resources, and even entire lives towards a goal we are dedicated to. It takes no special insight to see that excellent performance that results in numerous accomplishments requires skills and the virtuous perfection of our talents. Our sense of marvel at extraordinary feats is because of wholehearted dedication to combinations of work, disciplined lifestyle, praiseworthy attributes and commitment to God who causes all things to prosper. Dedication is important because it helps us to keep going no matter how tough the job or risky the task may be. We stick by the principles and ethics of how we work through thick and thin, overcoming adversities and hardships that may arise. We’ll never quit. As long as we are steadfast to our assignment and what we are doing, we will always find a reason to enthusiastically accomplish it. When we keep on discovering reasons to move forward, we will eventually find success and meaning in life through all the things we do including the people we work with and work for. We always hear about how we must be dedicated to whatever our task is, especially when it comes to work as it will eventually lead to our achievements. We also establish an impactful difference in the lives of others through our works’ fruitfulness. From this, we can also say that dedication is laying our lives for the sake of a cause or an assignment to be fulfilled. We set aside our weaknesses including our selfishness for the greater good.

This brings us to the other aspect of dedication. Dedication is committing and setting apart a thing, a place or even our lives for a greater purpose. 

The dedication of the temple that King Solomon built was one of the momentous events Israel did as a kingdom. The whole nation gathered as one and the people chose to cleanse their ways from wickedness and offered the temple to God. After all the prayers and dedication proceedings, God answered with fire from heaven acknowledging their prayers and sacrifices. They were assured by God that when heavens are shut and drought sets in the land or there are destructive devourers or deadly pestilence lurking in the nation; once they humble themselves to pray, diligently seek His presence and turn from their wicked ways; God Himself will hear their prayers, forgive their sins and heal their land. Every time the people present themselves before the dedicated temple, God is attentive to every prayer. In like manner, when we dedicate our lives and bodies to God as a living sacrifice, being His temple, we are guaranteed that He will fulfill His promise that when we call to Him, He will answer us. He will recognize every sacrifice made and will reward them accordingly.
As lovers of God, we dedicate our lives for the sake of this beloved nation. We commit our ways to live and walk in Spirituality, Patriotism, Integrity and Excellence. For the transformation of our society and rebuilding of the nation, we devote ourselves to grow maturely in stature adhering both to the laws of God and of the land. We have set ourselves apart to faithfully honor God in all the things we do. We consecrate ourselves to uplift the welfare of our fellow people and of the nation. Believing that our talents, skills and knowledge are divinely imparted in us, empowering us into bringing the nation to its destiny. With selflessness, we will dutifully fulfill the work entrusted to us. Having all of these in our lives, we are undoubtedly made to change the nation, making possible her healing, restoration and redemption. God is faithful and true, everything dedicated to Him will prosper and flourish according to His good pleasure.