Last Wednesday, July 29,2009 was our last day of A-Bay. It’s the end of our training period after 2 months from being hired. It’s such a success and also deserve a celebration indeed. Our team, composed of all of my co-trainees, our mentors, our supervisor and our team manager planned where and how to celebrate. After couple of minutes, (90 minutes, that’s 1 hour-and-a-half!) we concluded to be in a place they called Pod 5. Never had any idea what or where is it, I simply did not object, just to let the meeting wrap up.

Then I found out, it is a videoke place, where you can sing, and has food also. I thought, “I should go with them this time, I’ve been declining their invitations since.” So then I went, though not expecting to be enjoyed. I just went because I need to, (”what if I won’t be endorsed to Operations if I won’t go with them?”, that’s what’s always is circling in my mind). Fast forward, come July 29, 2009 5pm Manila Time.

Even at the first site at the place, I really am not comfortable. I don’t like that the lights are off, I don’t like the way the chairs are arranged, even how the girls with us dressed isn’t pleasing to my eyes. I don’t know if I am being judgmental or what, I just don’t like it, I just think there really is a lot of way to celebrate rather than being in that place.

Now they started singing and dancing into different songs. They do sing good, and dance gracefully, but to whom? That’s what I always thought that night. They do have the talent, but they are not using it to glorify the one who gave it to them. I can also sing and dance, but I am trying to use it in a way that glorifies God, and not just any other man. They kept on teasing me that I am very anti-social, that I am not jiving with them, but I rather be called that way than to compromise to the way they do.

What’s wrong with singing into a videoke place? Nothing, it’s always in the way you act, and if going to that place will cause me to be guilty in my thoughts, or if it causes anyone to be stumbled in his faith when he sees me going there, I’d better stay at home and stay normal.

And one thing, as a Christian, we are not anti-social, we even have the source of the real happiness that not any videoke bar or beer or cigarette can ever be compared with.

Photo from balliolmcr.com