Informed, included, involved

Next Wednesday, during their last session, will the present Cebu City Council approve or not the proposed Cebu City Zoning Ordinance/CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) amidst two conflicting positions:

1.) To have it approved by the present council, with suggested multisectoral amendments approved by the next council, or,

2.) To defer the approval until constituents (especially affected residents, communities/sectors) have thoroughly reviewed, been informed/ included/involved in the finalization/implementation of the ZO/CLUP.

Meanwhile, while waiting till Wednesday, June 25, sharing these two devotionals for the proponents:

First - from L.B. Cowman, June 21 devotional- Streams in the Desert:

“Just where you stand in the conflict, there is your place.

Just where you think you are useless, hide not your face.

God placed you there for a purpose, whate’er it be; think He has chosen you for it; work loyally. Put on your armor! Be faithful at toil or rest! What’er it be, never doubting God’s way is best. Out in the fight or on lookout, stand firm and true; this is the work that your Master gives you to do.”

Second, these excerpts from L.B. Cowman’s June 21 devotional:

“When we are in doubt or difficulty, when many voices urge this course or the other, when prudence utters one advice and faith another, then let us be still, hushing each intruder, calming ourselves in the sacred hush of God’s presence; Let us study His Word in the attitude of devout attention; let us lift up our nature into the pure light of His face, eager only to know what God the Lord shall determine—and ere long a very distinct impression will be made, the unmistakable forth-telling of His secret counsel.

“But those who have had many dealings with God know well the value of secret fellowship with Him, to ascertain His will. Are you in difficulty about your way? Go to God with your question; get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal.

“If you will only get alone, where the lights and shadows of earth cannot interfere, where human opinions fail to reach and if you will dare to wait there silent and expectant, though all around you insist on immediate decision or action—the will of God will be made clear;

“And you will have a new conception of God, a deeper insight into His nature and heart of love, which shall be for yourself alone a heavenly experience, a precious eternal privilege, the rich reward for those long hours of waiting.” (David)

“Stand still,” my soul, for so your Lord commands: e’en when your way seems blocked, leave it in His wise hands; His arm is mighty to divide the wave.

“Stand still,” my soul, “stand still” and you will see how God can work the “impossible” for thee, for with a great deliverance He does save.

“Be not impatient, but in stillness stand, even when surrounded on every hand, in ways your spirit does not comprehend. God cannot clear your way till you are still, that He may work in you His blessed will, and all your heart and will to Him do bend.

“Be Still,” my soul, for just when you are still, can God reveal Himself to you; until through you His love and light and life can freely flow;

“In stillness God can work through you and reach the souls around you, He then through you can teach His lessons, and His power in weakness show.

“Be Still,” - a deeper step in faith and rest.

“Be still and know your Father does know best the way to lead His child to that fair land, a “summer” land, where quiet waters flow; where longing souls are satisfied, and “know their God,” and praise for all that He has planned.”