The Rise Above Experience: PROCLAIM
“Rise Above” – that was the theme of this year’s World Youth Congress that was held in Zambales last month. It all still felt so unreal, I never thought that I would even be able to go to a WYC because whenever I planned to go, something would always clash with the dates
From the moment my parents booked my flight ticket, I continuously prayed that maybe this year will be my time to experience God through this year’s WYC. If I’m being honest, I was quite desperate because many of my friends; the ates and kuyas, told me how the atmosphere was just so amazing and humbling that I needed to go by myself to really experience it all.
I can say that I didn’t waste one second while I was there. I truly felt that God had spoken to me throughout the congress.
I carried a lot of doubts, insecurities and worries to WYC, and although I went to confession before the congress as preparation, I still carried a heavy heart.
Recently, I was asked to be a unit servant and I just became even more insecure about myself as I felt that I was unworthy to be one. Moreover, I wasn’t in the best terms with some important people in my life, as I carried a lot of anger and sadness towards them.
Throughout the whole event though, the Lord continued to speak to me through all the activities we had; the sessions, praise and worships, mass and especially the last session: Rise to Proclaim. I was being reaffirmed that, as long as I trust in Him, everything will be alright – that He is greater than all my doubts, struggles and that I am destined for something much greater.
Unfortunately, my WYC experience was cut short as I had to leave earlier because of my flight back to Hong Kong, but I’m so thankful to the titos, titas and especially Kuya JC Arevalo who arranged to give those who needed to leave earlier the last session during our bus ride to the airport, and because of him, I was still able to finish my WYC experience in a special way. It was like God was telling me “Wait, I still have something more to tell you” and we were given the last session.
In session 3, it talked about how God has called each one of us to be great, but he also wants us to share that greatness to those around us, to our families, friends at school and especially to other youths.
To be great is to share how Jesus has impacted our lives for the better and how we must rise up to continue spreading His endless love to those around us. Kuya JC talked about how we can share greatness by building others up - encouraging them to serve and to deepen their relationship with God. It was that particular part of the talk that had such a great impact on me. (I’ll be explaining it in a bit hihihi)
Earlier, I mentioned that I became more insecure when I was called to be a unit servant, one reason was because I didn’t think I was good enough, I didn’t think I would be able to take care of my brothers and sisters in my unit and that insecurity worsened when I realized that many of the current servants are going to graduate soon yet many other members are still so hesitant to serve. I honestly thought that I was doing the best I can; trying to encourage members to come to our YFL events and showing my enthusiasm in serving in hopes that they may also want to start serving but I was so wrong.
I realized that to build others up, I needed to deepen my relationships with them first. I needed to be patient and continue pursuing stronger relationships with my brothers and sisters. I realized that I needed to set my insecurities aside and to start thinking about others more because these insecurities were in the way where I could’ve been able to help them grow their relationship with Christ.
In this journey to greatness, it is never really about me to begin with, it is more of allowing God to work through me that I was able to help more people to know Him and develop a closer relationship with Him.
God has called me to rise above because I am destined for greatness.
By Ariele Santos











