FEATURE • The 7 Last Words - Traveler's Version for Holy Week

"We don't know what will happen to us along the road but as long as we keep our spirit and commit our lives to Him, we should not worry because God is the very present help in times of needs. Just have faith."

During the Lent, the 7 Last Words of Christ is always preached in the church and those Words are indeed inspiring learning how Jesus Christ sacrificed just to save us from the wages of sin. Now, I have come up with another set of 7 Last Words traveler's version that people who love to travel can surely relate especially those who are traveling this Holy Week.

1. Original Version: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Soldiers have just driven nails through his hands and feet and hoisted Him up by those nails. He does not fear those who kill His body; He pities them and prays for them. If they knew how much this hurts, they could not do it to anyone. They are unwitting instruments of the higher purpose that brings him here.

Traveler's Version: "Mama, forgive me, but I know what I am doing."

Have you ever experienced traveling in your own style against the will of your mother? Mothers know the best for her children but sometimes we just insist that "Ma, I want to travel there... here... this way... that way..."

My mom doesn't want me to take the highway with a motorbike but I just love it. I know it is dangerous but... Ow, I don't know what to reason out. So after I leave the house my last words are "Mama, forgive me, but I know what I am doing."

But of course, whenever you go out, always pray to God to keep you safe and sound in your travel because the hands of God is the best security we could ever have. Just pray to connect with His hands.

Sorry mama, I just traveled with my motorbike and I know what I am doing...

2. Original Version: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

But physical torment takes its toll. He suddenly discovers that He cannot hear the still, small voice; He has lost his two-way communication with God. His lifeline is not working, so He must face the narrow gate of death alone. 

Traveler's Version: "My bus, my bus, why have you forsaken me?"

Have you ever tried traveling in a rush because you have to go back home on time due to limited time allotted for your travel then suddenly the bus where you are riding is giving you a big problem that you can not go home on time and will go to work tomorrow without sleep?

In spite of entrusting your safety to your favorite bus line going back home, there are just times that bus lines can not meet our expectations. I was about to go home in a rush because it is already dark and tomorrow will be my duty at my work but the bus where I was riding suddenly stopped at the cliffs of Sablan, Benguet under the moonlight and worse, it was raining and the road is slippery. Imagine, you are stranded in the mountains without any house to ask for a rescue, empty zigzag road near the cliff, no road lights, completely dark and raining! Uhhh!

I had to wait until another bus will pass (hopefully) for the transfer. Yes, we were able to wait for another bus but for a no choice, I have to stand inside the bus for several hours because there were no longer available seats to accommodate me - standing position and I was very tired and my feet aching due to the walking tours I did.

For this situation, God will never forsake you if you will call upon His Name because God said, "Call unto me and I will answer you."

My bus forsaken me: Stranded under the moonlight, extreme chill and rain.

3. Original Version: He said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27)

Not quite alone. He looks down. Which hurts worse: the pain of being crucified, or the pain of a mother watching her son be crucified, or the pain of a boy whose beloved teacher hangs bleeding before his eyes? He understands their pain in the midst of His own, and tells them to care for each other. 

Traveler's Version:  I said to my brother "Brother, hold on tight!." Then I said to myself, "I need my mother!"

Have you ever tried traveling on which you thought it is already your final day on Earth? Well, another unforgettable experience happened again in Sablan, Benguet (Seems like Sablan is not my kind of destination) where I thought it will be my final day when a very thick fog welcomed us along the the zigzag mountain road with cliffs everywhere under the pouring rain.

I told my brother who was with me that time to hold on tight to anything he can hold around and I was telling to myself, I need my mom now and she must know where to take us (in case something happens, hehe). Check the story by clicking here.

As I always say, in everything that we do, always put God in our midst or in our hearts because He is the unseen help in times of needs. Entrust your life to Him whenever you encounter situations such as this.

Hey look outside the bus, it is totally blurred!

4. Original Version "I thirst!" (John 19:28)

Time passes slowly. His spring of living water runs dry. He reaches the end of His strength. This is the moment the Tempter has been waiting for: through the voices of cynical men, Satan tries again, as he did in the wilderness: "If you are the Christ, prove it! Save yourself and impress the people." 

Traveler's Version: "I am dehydrated!"

Have you ever tried going to a hike, trekking or anything that requires a lot of energy but you forget to bring your water until you get thirsty and dehydrated to death?

I have to walk the challenging trail leading to a waterfalls called Pinsal Falls in the town of Santa Maria until I realized I have no water to drink. Lelz! I was so thirsty, I looked so ugly, so tired, and any ugly thing you can imagine in your brain. I was just dehydrated and my body fluids were already excreted via perspiration.

In connection to this, there is also a thing called "thirsty for the Word of God," which means we are craving to know God more in our life and to make a deeper relationship with our Savior. To do this, we must read our Bible, pray and apply His teachings and for sure our "spiritual thirst" will be relieved.

Please don't get offended on how I look here, give me water instead... many LOLS!

5. Original Version: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

But a dying thief says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." What the cynical voices suggest is not the way to prove He is the Christ. His kingdom is not of this world. He ignores them and reassures the thief.

Traveler's Version: "Truly, I say to you, today I have seen a paradise."

Well I know that the Philippines is already a tropical paradise itself but I just can't help my self to tell to my friends, family and the whole world that I have seen a paradise whenever I see a beautiful place when I travel.

This phrase is absolutely a traveler's favorite because who would not say those words if you have been in fact satisfied by the beauty of the paradise that God has created for His children to enjoy. Let's just thank the Lord for giving us such blessing and recognize Him that He is the creator of all the beautiful spots that we love to see.

In this regard for the Lent, you need to accept God as your Savior, repent and ask forgiveness. Just believe that Jesus will save you. These are just the simple ways on how to travel with God in His paradise and it is the BEST paradise in the universe with streets of gold called HEAVEN.

Eureka! I have discovered a paradise! A blessing from God above!

6. Original Version: "It is finished!" (John 19:30)

He has defeated the Tempter again. Despite the agony, He has rejected temptation and cared for those around Him. His temporary duty on earth is complete. He has shown the way God wants us to live. He has demonstrated the fact that faith and hope and love cannot be destroyed by anything men can say or do.  

Traveler's Version: "It is explored!"

One of the greatest achievements for travelers is the fact that you were able to explore a place you wished to see before - now it is a reality.

As a child, it was my dream to see the famed Mayon Volcano I always see in my HEKASI textbooks until I finally saw it in Ligao City!

It is explored! Finally seen Mayon in sunset!

7. Original Version: "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)

Like a trusting child, He turns to the Father and takes the next step. He has bound Himself by love, to both God and the human race. Soon he will begin his long-term ministry by demonstrating the fact that human beings survive physical death. Then he will continue to draw to Himself, and thus to heaven, everyone He can ... for as long as it takes ... until whosoever will has come. ---

Travelers Version: I am adapting the original version to the travelers version because this is very true. We don't know what will happen to us along the road but as long as we keep our spirit and commit our lives to Him, we should not worry because God is the very present help in times of needs. Just have faith.

So this is my Holy Week Special post. The Siete Palabras for travelers. Enjoy the long vacation folks!