Gleanings of Grace by Macy de los Reyes

On our way home from dinner, somewhere between the shared laughter and jokes inside the car, a dear ate (older sister) gently told me, “M, you have to be given away.” 

Her words left me startled for a moment. I wasn't sure what she meant. So I asked with a soft laugh, “Ate, do you want me away?”

She assured me with a smile, “It is a good thing to be given away, M.” 

That conversation stayed with me until morning. For the first time, I was confronted with a question I had never even asked until that moment: “Could the Lord be calling me here in Thailand?”

From October 9 to 12, 2026, our church, Higher Rock Christian Church, held its first global missions outreach to Thailand in partnership with Grace Christian Baptist Church, led by Pastor Mark Acsay.

Yet, my journey began even before the flight.

This year started with uncertainties that urged me to step back from ministry commitments for two months. In the quiet moments of my room, I finally found the time and space to focus on my Philippians book study. As I flipped through the pages of Paul’s writings, I found myself lingering over his missionary life, asking myself:

“What does it really mean ‘to live is Christ’?”

“What does it really mean to press on?”

Week after week, God was also directing my desires through sermons on LORD’s Day and teachings in our Thursday cell group. Through these ordinary means of grace, God was shaping my own heart towards His mission. And the first step of obedience was responding to a call at home.

First Fruits to God (FFTG) Novaliches, our church outreach, called for more workers during our annual meeting. I responded to the call. After two Sundays in the ministry, I sensed what a privilege it was to be at the frontline of the Great Commission. And so, my prayer was simple: “Lord, I want my life to count for the Gospel, wherever You choose to send me.”

In the same meeting, our church also announced our first global outreach to Thailand. At that time, joining was not even in my mind. I hesitated to participate, thinking it was for long-time outreach workers. Then, in a conversation with a friend, one word struck me: “Obey.” I knew, at that point, I had to act. After days on the waitlist, I was finally added to the missions exposure list. 

In Thailand, the passage John 13:34–35 was preached on the LORD’s Day.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I’ve heard this passage preached so many times, but it was different hearing it, especially on the trip. 

That Sunday, I learned that our partner church adheres to the 1689 London Baptist Confession. Our church doesn’t. Church partnerships within the same denomination or network are quite common. Yet this was new, at least to me. And so, what a privilege it was to witness biblical catholicity in the mission field, one stemming from biblical love and unity in the Gospel.

As I sat on that preaching, remembering all the preparations I made, I was confronted with a simple truth. 

“M, your love speaks as loud as your words.”

I came to Thailand memorizing passages, phrases, and words so I could proclaim the Gospel faithfully. Yet a thought whispered its way into my heart. My diligence and capabilities can become occasions for pride. A competitive spirit can hide behind the guise of my sincere desire to be faithful. Jesus calls us to love one another, including co-laborers in the Gospel. And so, I echo the same questions from the preaching: “Am I as eager to rejoice in someone else's success as I was to excel in my own work? Am I as willing to receive correction as I was to give instruction? Would I still serve faithfully, even without recognition?”

On our last night together, our team leader asked us a question: “After seeing all these with your own eyes, what will you do?”

I wrestled with this question for days. It confronted me with the possibilities and their implications. Could the Lord be, indeed, calling me to Thailand? What about my life in the Philippines? What about my Mama and our dog?

Yet while I wrestled with a potentially life-changing decision at the airport, a kid from Novaliches messaged me as I boarded the plane.

“See you this Saturday, Teacher!”

I simply smiled.

While I was caught up with overwhelming questions about tomorrow, a kid back home was expecting to see me. Truly, I can be fruitful now, even while not knowing what’s next.

While the trip opened my eyes to the Gospel work in Thailand and the need for more laborers, I was confronted with this hard reality: I’m limited. I cannot serve everyone. I cannot be everywhere. 

And this is really humbling. 

As I recalled all the needs I witnessed, I asked God in prayer: “Lord, how can I make a difference with this one finite life You’ve entrusted me?” 

As the days went on, a firm resolution eventually became clear: “Live a life with focus, M.”

I may not have all the answers to my questions now, but I know one thing to be true–God’s Word. And so, I’m learning that a life given away is one continuously focused on Scripture.

Scripture prompted me to go. Scripture teaches me to love. As I continually focus on Scripture, may my service be as potent as it could be. May my finite life count for the Gospel, even amid all the needs that are beyond me.

Truly, a life given away to God and firmly rooted in His Word will bear fruit wherever it is planted for the sake of the Gospel.

Macy de los Reyes can be found on social media here. She desires to dwell in God’s house all her days.