Let Your Light Shine

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:1

We were invited to join a Community Responders Training in our barangay, and it lasted for three days. From the very beginning, we felt excited—not just to learn, but to experience something new together. The organizers were thoughtful, providing meals throughout the day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—which made everything more comfortable for all of us.

They also gave out two kilos of rice per day, totaling six kilos by the end of the training, along with a certificate of completion. It may have seemed simple, but it meant a lot—it showed that we were valued and cared for as participants.

During the orientation, we were asked about our religious affiliations. Most participants came from different churches, and only four of us were Seventh-day Adventists from our barangay. Then came a question that seemed small at first but carried deeper meaning: who among us ate pork and who didn’t?

Without hesitation, we raised our hands.

In that moment, we became visibly different. Being a Seventh-day Adventist is not only about attending church—it is also reflected in lifestyle choices, including diet. We choose not to eat pork as part of our commitment to biblical health principles and our desire to honor God in what we consume. It’s something that may seem ordinary to others, but for us, it’s an act of faith and obedience.

Standing up wasn’t just about food—it was about identity.

For a brief second, there was uncertainty. Would we be misunderstood? Would it be inconvenient for the organizers? But almost immediately, we were reassured when the head of the training shared that he was also a Seventh-day Adventist. That moment felt like confirmation that God had already gone ahead of us.

Head Treanor (center)

From then on, everything shifted. During meal times, they made sure there were food options prepared for us. We didn’t have to explain ourselves repeatedly or feel like a burden. Instead, we felt seen, respected, and included.

Looking back, I realized that choosing to stand firm in our beliefs—especially in something as simple as food—was necessary. Faith is often tested in quiet, everyday situations, not just in big, dramatic moments. It would have been easy to stay silent, to blend in, or to compromise just to avoid standing out. But in doing so, we would have missed the opportunity to represent who we are and what we believe.

That experience reminded me that being a Seventh-day Adventist means living out your faith consistently, even in the smallest choices. Our lifestyle becomes a testimony—not by forcing it on others, but by simply being faithful.

In the end, I learned that standing in your faith is not about being different for the sake of it—it’s about being true to God. And when you do, even in something as simple as what you eat, He honors that decision in ways you don’t expect.

Name: Hero Louie C. Guisando | 64th batch 1000MM 

Hometown: Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu

Mission field: Sitio Trese, Brgy. Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental