AMBIGOUS SOJOURN

Life is a journey, and I wholeheartedly agree. That is why, in my reflections, one question has continually emerged: What must be present in life for it to truly be called a journey? Through this inquiry, I have identified five essential elements that, in my view, define life's journey:

1. Blueprint/Route

2. Vehicle

3. Driver

4. Wheel

5. Passenger

Life has a blueprint—a predetermined path guiding its course. It has a vehicle—the human body and the world around us. It has a driver—God, the one who designs the blueprint and orchestrates every aspect of the journey. It has a wheel, which represents both the dynamism and stillness of its movement. Lastly, it has a passenger—us, who experience and embrace both the momentum and the moments of all our rides and walks.

When these elements exist in harmony, life is at its best. But what happens when they are in chaos? Something—or someone—on the journey failed to cooperate or fulfill its role.

Here is the verdict: The blueprint, or the route, originates from the power of nature, and thus, the driver must always follow it, for nature has its own perfection. In my interpretation, God is the driver, and there has never been a time when God betrayed the integrity of nature. God respects nature, which is why, throughout our journey, nature often reminds us—sometimes harshly—of its force through physical hardships. These are merely reminders, but they remain recorded in our personal history, showing moments when we became blind or deaf to the blueprint meant to guide us. Therefore, as early as now, we must study the blueprint of our lives.

I envision God as the driver—the ever-loving guide. He does not want us to go astray, which is why He is always with us, steering us toward His divine blueprint so we may fully experience life's beauty alongside Him. But what happens if we choose to turn away from Him? The likelihood is that we will take control ourselves and embark on a path of uncertainty. While we have free will to make choices, we must ensure that our decisions do not weaken our relationship with God. Because He knows everything, He continually reminds us—through our conscience—of the direction we must follow.

What kind of wheel do we use in this journey? Is it one that guarantees certainty? The wheel of God keeps us on the right path, ensuring that, like a boomerang, we always find our way back. It realigns us with our true and sacred destination—God’s divine purpose. But what if we use our own wheels instead? In this case, we risk becoming lost, making it harder to follow God’s lead. Sometimes, we seek change for the sake of being different—but are we certain where this path will take us? We don’t know, and often, we simply say we are heading “nowhere.”

Through this uncertainty, we find ourselves drawn into mediocrity, surrendering to chance and hoping the wheel of fortune will dictate our fate. That is why we take so many gambles in life—hoping for the best, but accepting whatever outcome arrives with a resigned "Bahala na. We are, after all, only passengers in this journey of life. We travel, captivated by the beauty of the world, yet this beauty—this greatness—is fleeting. What we consider fantastic and fulfilling will inevitably meet its conclusion with a single word: "goodbye." Whether we recognize it or not, we exist within the vastness of space and are bound by the judgment of time. This is why our hearts are often consumed by doubt about what lies ahead.

Life is at its weakest when doubt outweighs trust, but life is at its strongest when we choose to trust—even amid uncertainty. And if we truly embrace the journey—not attempting to take control ourselves but instead allowing God to steer the way—we will find peace. In the end, when our journey reaches its final destination, we will not arrive weary and lost, but instead, completely at rest, knowing that we have traveled as passengers guided by His divine plan.