Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papasok sa church building. Mukhang ako yata ang pinaka-maaga ngayon ah. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa mga bakanteng upuan. Oo, ako lang nga.

Sa pag-upo ko agad kong inilabas ang phone at tinext si Rhoe. Hindi siya kaagad naka-reply, pero alam kong hindi rin magtatagal ay makikita niya rin ang text ko. Palagi niya namang hawak ng phone niya eh. Ilang sandali ang lumipas at natanggap ko na nga ang reply niya. On the way na daw siya.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at tinitigan ang mga asul na kurtina sa altar. The royal blue tapestries made the altar look regal, and all the more I was drawn to it as I watched. The instruments were placed systematically in the platform, and the aesthetic value they've placed in arranging the front made the wooden pulpit stand out - beautiful.

Muli kong naalala yung pagtugtog ko sa classroom noon gamit ang gitara ni Gabriel, how I longed for that to happen again. Hirap talaga ng walang sariling gitara, kahit gaano mo kagustong tumugtog kung wala namang instrument, wala talaga. Mabuti nalang kahit papaano eh binigyan ako ng Diyos ng boses. At least kahit walang instrument, I can still sing for Him all I want.

My gaze probed the wooden acoustic guitar on the stand, appreciative of its classic design. Nakikita ko itong plineplay ng ilang mga members before the service began, okay lang naman sigurong hiramin saglit?

Tumayo ako at nagtungo sa altar sabay kuha sa gitara nang makalapit dito. Woah, it's even better-looking up close. Well, always the best for God, indeed.

Umupo ako sa upuang katabi ng stand at nagsimulang tumugtog, hearing the sound of strings mingling in harmony as I did. And it wasn't very long when I too began to sing along with it. Hay, the ecstasy of being in His Presence is inexplicable. Indeed, it is in His Presence that we find the value of our being.

"The more I seek You," I began, hitting each note as I sang, "The more I find You. The more Find You, the more I love You..."

Time began to matter less and less as I sang, the joy of being able to worship flooding my being.

"I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand,
Lay back against You and breath,
Feel Your Heartbeat,"

Yes, Lord. I want to get closer, to grow deeper into Your Presence. I want more of You Lord!

"Your love is so deep,
It's more than I can stand,
I melt in Your peace,
It's overwhelming,"

My lips curved to a smile, satisfaction becoming evident as each moment passed. Iba talaga kapag ang Diyos ang kumilos, he fills everything that is in need of Him - and He fills it to the point of overflow.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkanta, pikit-matang nagpupuri nang isang boses ang pumukaw sa aking atensiyon. My lids shot up, revealing a couple entering through the church doors. Instinctively my lips clasp shut, caught off-guard as the two walked in.

Dali-dali akong tumayo at ibinalik ang gitara sa stand, forcing a smile as I saw Ma'am Johanna and Pastor Melchour walk in.

"Oh, bakit ka tumigil Grace?" Tanong ni Ma'am, a smile on her face as she approached. "That was wonderful!"

"Ah," Ngumiti ako at bumalik sa upuan, "T-thank you po, Ma'am,"

"Mukang maganda yata kung sasali ka sa Worship Team, Grace," Alok ni Pastor Melchour.

Bahagya akong natigilan nang marinig ang sambit niya. Matagal na rin akong hindi nakasali sa Worship team. Mula nung lumipat ako dito, never pa akong nagamit sa altar. My heart raced in apprehension. I would love to sing and lead worship again, but being in a church like this - one that is very different from what I was used to - made the idea quite scary.

"Oo nga, Grace," Pagsang-ayon ni Ma'am Johanna, "You will be a wonderful addition sa team. Gusto mo ba?"

Ibinaba ko ang tingin at nag-isip. Gustong-gusto ko sana, pero handa na ba akong magamit ulit? The people being used here are greatly blessed with talent, would I be able to amount to that?

"Uhm," inangat ko ang paningin ko sa dalawa, "Gusto ko nga po sana Ma'am, pero,"

"Pero?"

"Parang hindi pa po yata ako qualified na magamit dito Ma'am,"

"Bakit mo naman nasabi 'yan, Grace?" Tanong ni Ma'am Johanna.

"Ano po kasi eh," Huminga ako ng malalim at muling nagsalita. "Parang pakiramdam ko po hindi ko kayang gawin ang maglead katulad ng ginagawa niyo dito sa church. Para bang," kumunot ang noo ko, arranging the words in my mind whilst I paused, "May something kapag naglelead kayo. It's something so powerful that I can't even explain - at wala ho ako non,"

May namuong ngiti sa labi ni Pastor Melchour, "Anointing yata ang tinutukoy mo, Hija,"

My eyes narrowed at his word, maka-ilang beses ko na ring narinig ang salitang 'yon. Pero ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng Anointing?

"Ano po ba 'yon Pastor?" Tanong ko.

"Simply said, Hija, the anointing is the impartation of God's ability into our lives to do His work." Panimula niya, "And this is why, when someone is Anointed - everybody can see an evidence for it. Makikita ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos sa isang buhay na anointed, mararamdaman ng mga tao ang Presensiya ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagmiministro at buhay ng isang taong mayroon ang Anointing ng Panginoon. Kaya mo nasabi kaninang 'Powerful' at tila hindi maipaliwanag ang paglelead ni Johanna, ay dahil sa mayroon ang Anointing ng Panginoon sa buhay niya. It's not her, but the Power of God in her life."

Fascination increasingly gripped my being as I listened, understanding slowly filling my mind. Ah, so 'yon pala 'yon. That is what made her voice stand out, that is why I found it so powerful. I released a breath in awe.

"Every Christian has the chance to receive this Anointing, Grace," Sabi naman ni Ma'am Johanna, "But there's this common problem: Many desire the Anointing, but only a few can pay the price."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa nasambit niya. "Price?" I gazed at her intently. "Ano pong ibig niyong sabihin Ma'am?"

"Grace, let me say this to you. You have the chance and opportunity to receive this Anointing from God, to be used mightily for Him, for your life to be a vessel of His signs and wonders. Pero may isang bagay kang kailangang maintindihan - Salvation is indeed free, but the Anointing," She narrowed her gaze upon me, "-will cost you everything."

I felt my heart tighten, taken aback by her word. Anong ibig niyang sabihin do'n?

May namuong ngiti sa labi niya at muling nagsalita. "The anointing will cost you your time, your strength and your mind - basically everything! Kung gusto mong gamitin ng Diyos ang boses mo sa mga bagay na spirituwal, for things greater, kinakailangan mo itong ilaan para sakaniya lamang. The price of the Anointing is consecration."

Consecration.

The word echoed repeatedly in my head, the weight of it seemingly too heavy to comprehend. Hindi nagtagal nang isa-isang bumalik sa isip ko ang mga oras na kumanta ako ng mga kantang hindi para sa Diyos, mga oras na kumanta ako ng mga kantang sumasalungat sa utos at karakter Niya. Guilt began to grip my heart. Oh goodness. Forgive me, Lord. Ibinaba ko ang tingin at nakinig nang muling magsalita si Ma'am Johanna.

"Alam at naiintindihan kong mahirap, Grace." Panimula niya, "Ako rin naman noon ay hindi ko alam ang mga ito. Mahirap talaga..." tumingin siya sa malayo at pinagpatuloy ang sinasabi. "But here's the thing; True, I gave up my gigs, I gave up my worldly songs, my worldly dreams of fame, I gave up all things that related to the world, but the exchange is something so much more worth it - the Anointing."

I could only stare at her as she spoke, amazement surging my very being as I thought of her statement. I felt in my heart a stirring - a quiet yet raging confirmation to her words. I want what she has. I want to be anointed too.

"Kung gusto mo ang Anointing ng Panginoon sa buhay mo, Grace, then this is my encouragement;" She placed a palm on my shoulder. "Set your voice apart. Set it apart for His glory alone. God responds to consecrated vessels."

I took in a breath as I heard her words, and with this, a smile began to adorn my face. Oo, mahirap, pero alam kong by His Grace, by His Grace I will be able t-

The intense atmosphere was shattered as a ringtone filled our midst. Ibinaba ko ang tingin at binasa ang text. Nandito na si Rhoe.

"Ma'am," Inangat ko ang tingin, "Sunduin ko lang po si Rhoe saglit sa labas ha, andito na raw siya."

Tumango siya, "Okay sige. Praise God at na-invite mo siya!" kumento niya.

"Oo nga po, Ma'am," Sagot ko, "Laking pasalamat ko nga po sa Diyos at finally lumambot na rin ang puso niya." I beamed, "Kuwento nalang po namin mamaya Ma'am,"

"Sige! Naku, gusto ko yan. O s'ya puntahan mo na siya."

"Opo!" Tumayo ako at bago maglakad ay lumingon muli sa gurong naka-upo sa tabi ko. "Ma'am?"

Inangat niya ang paningin saakin. "Hmm?"

"S-salamat po." Without another word I turned and began to walk, a smile on my face as I recanted her words. Thank You Lord for her life. Thank You that through her, You've spoken to me today with words I couldn't have even imagined.

Dali-dali akong nagtungo sa gate at tinignan ang waiting shed sa tabi nito. Agad namang bumungad ang naka-ngiting muka ni Rhoe.

"'Morning!" Bati niya.

"Good morning!" Sagot ko sabay yakap sakaniya. "Halika, pasok na tayo?"

Tumango siya at naglakad sa tabi ko. "Wow, so ito ang Church nila Ma'am Johanna," She mused.

"Oo, ito nga," Kumpirmasyon ko, "Hindi naman siya kalakihan, pero marami-rami na rin ang members."

"Angganda naman dito parang garden ang dating," Nakangiti niyang kumento habang nakatingin sa harap ng simbahan. Nagpatuloy kami sa pag-uusap hangang sa makarating kami sa kina-uupuan ko kanina. Ando'n parin si Ma'am Johanna at si Pastor.

"Good morning po, Ma'am," Bati ni Rhoe sa guro.

Ma'am Johanna extended her hand towards her with a smile, "Good morning, Hija! It's nice to have you here!"

Rhoe took her hand, "Salamat po, Ma'am,"

"Nga pala, siya si Melchour Eyasan, asawa ko," Pakilala ni Ma'am Johanna kasabay ng pagkaway ni Pastor kay Rhoe, "Nakita mo na siya noong Foundation Day, hindi ba?"

"Opo, Ma'am," Sagot niya, "Nasabi nga po ni Shane sa amin."

Nagpatuloy sa pagkukuwentuhan ang grupo at 'di nagtagal nang magsimula na rin ang service. Pagkatapos ng testimonies, pinatayo na ang Kongregasyon para sa Worship. Muli, pinanood ko nang umakyat si Ma'am Johanna kasama ang ibang mga instrumentalists sa altar.

The moment she began to sing, immediately I felt the atmosphere begin to shift. Unti-unting bumaba ang Presensiya ng Diyos habang kami'y kumakanta. My lips lifted to a smile, again remembering the words I've just heard earlier. The burden regained its weight, but excitement defeated it.

Intense hunger began to grip my heart, a longing so deep that tears began to well up my eyes. I want more of You Lord, I want more of Your Presence...

With a deep breath I shut my eyes, making in my heart a vow that would forever bind my life.

Lord, here I am... Iyo na po ang lahat sa akin. I give my voice to You. Beginning today, let my voice be Your Voice. Anoint it, use it for Your Glory alone.